In the early hours of 15 March, Etna's strombolian activity gradually intensified and a small lava flow began to ooze on the southern flank of the southeast complex.
After 7 h UTC (local time -1), the eruption intensified, marked by an increase of the volcanic tremor.
At 9 am UTC, strombolian explosions became constant, with small ash emissions. The lava flow reached the base of the central cone SE and spread on a gentle slope to the south, covering the pouring of the previous eruption.
Etna - 15.03.2017 / 7h27 (High temperature zone from which the casting will ooze) and 9h06 local - thermal webcam Montagnola / INGV
In the middle of the day, the summit was obscured by the clouds.
At the late afternoon, the lava flow progressed. The intensity of activity peaked around 17:40 UTC, before gradually decreasing in the evening.
Shortly before 11 pm UTC, following a rapid decrease in venting activity at the top of the cone, a new small lava flow was emitted from a vent on the south side of the cone, and progressed to the East.
On the morning of March 16, paroxysmal activity continues. Updates will follow.
Sources: INGV Catania, webcams INGV & RS7, photos Boris Behncke.