ETNA UPDATE, 22 JANUARY 2014, 08:00 GMT

Since the late evening of 21 January 2014, weak Strombolian activity is taking place at Etna's New Southeast Crater (NSEC), following a quiescent interval of 20 days. Some of the explosions are accompanied by very small ash emissions, which barely clear the crater rim; the activity also generates anomalies in the images of the thermal surveillance camera at Monte Cagliato on the eastern flank of Etna, as in the frame shown at left, recorded at 06:56 GMT (=local time -1) on 22 January 2014.

The latest activity at the NSEC was an episode of intense Strombolian activity and lava flow emission that culminated between 29 and 31 December 2013, followed by two days of minor lava emission from a vent on the northeast flank of the NSEC cone. However, from 4 to 13 January, nearly continuous emissions of reddish ash (altered pulverized rock) occurred from the Northeast Crater. Strong degassing, often taking place in a pulsating manner, is continuing from this crater.

The volcanic tremor amplitude is at background levels.

Further updates will be timely provided as the situation evolves.