Video of the April 27-28, 2013 eruption of Etna. Used by permission from Turi Caggegi.
Over the weekend, Etna let loose yet another impressive volley. This time, we were treated to both lava flows and lava fountains from the very active New Southeast Crater. Videographer Turi Caggegi captured this new eruption in marvelous high definition -- he's captured a multitude of Etna eruptions on video (along with a host of other natural phenomena). Etna had experienced a week's worth of smaller Strombolian explosions since the last paroxysm, but the events of April 28 produced 300-500 meter lava fountains along with lava flows that headed north and south from the New Southeast Crater. The explosivity of the enough to generate an ash plume (see below) that dusted Linguaglossa, Taormina and Messina (upwards of 60 km away) and temporarily closed the airport in Catania. Dr. Boris Behncke from the Osservatorio Etneo also filmed some of the action, so be sure to check out his videos of the vigorous lava fountains during this paroxysm (defined as periods of lava fountaining; see video after the jump), including some impressive footage that shows the pulsing nature of the explosions as bubbles burst in the active crater.
Video of the April 27-28, 2013 eruption of Etna. Used by permission from Dr. Boris Behncke, INGV.
A webcam capture of the April 27-28, 2013 eruption at Italy's Etna. On the right, you can see what might be a small pyroclastic flow generated by the activity. Image: Webcam capture by Eruptions reader Mafia. With the high level of activity at Etna over the first 4 months of 2013 -- 13 paroxysms and counting -- it is always a good idea to keep an eye on some of the webcams pointed at the volcano. You never know when you might catch the next eruption already in progress.
