The 8th paroxysm of Etna, this March 2, 2021, was largely masked by atmospheric conditions, only the top of the plume being observed.
From 10:45 UTC, there is a slight increase in the mean amplitude of the volcanic tremor, and the resumption of weak Strombolian activity at the southeast crater / SEC. Infrasound activity also shows an increase in the number of events.
From 11:34 GMT, Strombolian activity in the SEC increases, accompanied by the emission of ash which quickly disperse into the atmosphere. After a short stationary phase, the average amplitude of the volcanic tremor, around 11:30 GMT, started to increase again, the sources moving towards the south-eastern crater.
Etna SEC - lava fountains on 03/02/2021, at 1:18 p.m., 1:24 p.m. and 1:51 p.m. respectively - EMOT / INGV OE webcam - one click to enlarge
From 12:24 GMT, a rapid increase in the amplitude of the volcanic tremor is observed, whose source is located at the southeast crater at about 3000 m. Infrasound activity is also supported both in the rate of occurrence and in the energy of events.
The strombolian activity of the south-eastern crater has turned into a lava fountain. Due to the cloud cover, it is not possible to make continuous observations.
The INGV OE announces that the activity of lava fountains at the SEC has ceased at 14:50 GMT. From 14:40 UTC, there was a rapid decrease in the average amplitude of the volcanic tremor which reached average values at 15:00 UTC.
Etna - fluctuations in the tremor at 02.03.2021 / 2.10 p.m. the plot relating to the 8th paroxysmal episode on the right - Doc. INGV OE
2021.03.02 - Etna - Emission of sulfur dioxide, with 14.90DU of SO2. - Sentinel- 5P Tropomi / DLR / BIRA / ESA
At 15:06 UTC, an ash fall was reported in the southern sector of the volcano. In particular in the areas of: San Gregorio (motorway exit); Trecastagni; Aci S. Antonio; Pedara and Catania.
Source: INGV OE
At Klyuchevskoy, the ash cone and the lava flow of the lateral rupture on the western flank remain active on March 2, 2021, marked by a thermal anomaly. The lateral rupture is named after Corr.- Member USSR Academy of Sciences G.S. Gorshkov.
A moderate emission of gas and vapor continues at the top of the volcano.
Source: Olga Girina / Photo by Dmitry Melnikov & KVERT
In February 2021, the OVPF recorded in the Piton de la Fournaise massif in total:
- 6 superficial volcano-tectonic earthquakes (0 to 2.5 km above sea level) under the summit craters;
- 1 deep earthquake (below sea level);
- 165 collapses (in the Dolomieu Crater, the ramparts of the Fouqué and Piton de Crac enclosures, and the East River).
The GPS in the summit area and in the far field did not record any particular signals, with the exception of the GPNG and GPSG stations located in the Grandes Pentes area. The GPNG and GPSG stations continued to record subsidence and eastward movement, although their movement slowed.
Since the last eruption, a continuous increase in CO2 emissions from the soil has been recorded at the level of the distal sites (Plaine des Cafres and Plaine des Palmistes sectors, but also proximal (Gîte du volcano).
Source: OVPF