April 19 , 2020.

Italy / Sicily, Etna :

PRESS RELEASE ON VOLCANIC ACTIVITY from April 19, 2020, 06:36:41 H UTC (08:36:41 H LOCAL HOURS) – ETNA.

The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Etnean Observatory, reports that the monitoring networks recorded at 08:36 hours (06:36 UTC), a Strombolian activity (which then took on the characteristics of a small lava fountain ).

The amplitude of the volcanic tremor shows a sudden increase, reaching high values. The sources of the signal are located in the area of ​​the South East crater. In addition, from the network of surveillance cameras, it is possible to observe, at the « saddle cone » of the New South-East Crater, a thermal anomaly due to Strombolian activity, as well as a small lava fountain. In addition, Strombolian activity, which started in September 2019, also continues, with modest fluctuations, in the Voragine crater.

PRESS RELEASE ON THE VOLCANIC ACTIVITY of April 19, 2020 – 10:41:38 (UTC) – ETNA.

The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Etnean Observatory, reports that from the network of surveillance cameras, from 09:55 UTC, it was possible to note that the lava fountain activity communicated with the setting update # 40 of 07:15 UTC today has gradually diminished until it stops.
Even the great emission of ash, which generated a plume which rose up to about 5 km in height above the craters, pushed towards the eastern quadrants of the volcano by the prevailing winds, gradually diminished. It is also specified that, in the analysis of data and campaign observations by INGV personnel, the flow communicated in update No. 41, from 08:06 UTC is linked to an accumulation and subsequent rolling on the flanks of the cone of the New South-East Crater of pyroclastic material emitted during the phases of lava fountains.

Today’s eruptive activity on April 19 began around 6:30 UTC with the launch of a Strombolian activity at the « saddle cone » of the New Crater of Southeast and started from 07 : 3 p.m. UTC, then gradually evolved into a lava fountain. The activity generated the emission of an ash plume which was quite weak at the beginning and gradually increased in intensity from 08:45 UTC. The ashes fell on the eastern side of the volcano for the most part in the Bove Valley and fallout of fine materials were also reported in the area of Safrana.
Finally, it is reported that Strombolian activity in the Voragine crater, which started in September 2019. continues with slight fluctuations compared to what has been communicated so far.

Currently, observations are based on instrumental observations from monitoring networks.
From a seismic point of view, the event was announced by a rapid increase in volcanic tremor from 5.40 GMT hours – 7.40 local hours, which reached the highest energy level at 7.00 GMT hours (9.00 local hours). The sources of the signal are located in the area of the New Southeast Crater at shallow depth. Currently, the amplitude of the tremor is decreasing.
The episode was accompanied by remarkable infrasound activity, which is also decreasing.
The GPS (HF) network shows no significant variation. The tilt network shows minor variations from the usual trends. These variations are more visible at stations near the crater area.

Source : INGV Vulcani .

Photos : INGV , Joseph Nasi / Butterfly Helicopte