Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV) reported that an eruption at Etna continued during 8-14 July. The eruption was characterized by a gradual increase of Strombolian activity within the Voragine Crater on 10 July, and ash emissions on 11 July. The Toulouse VAAC issued advisories for an ash emission that rose about 1 km above the summit (12,000 ft a.s.l.) and drifted S. After a few days of decreased activity, explosions gradually increased in the NE Crater (NEC) and Voragine on 14 July, generating ash emissions that quickly dispersed above the craters; light ash emissions continued afterwards from both craters. The amplitude of volcanic tremor rapidly fluctuated between medium and high levels. Signal locations shifted from an area just E of the Voragine crater to the SE Crater area on 12 July, and then shifted again to the NEC area on 14 July.

Geological Summary. Mount Etna, towering above Catania on the island of Sicily, has one of the world's longest documented records of volcanism, dating back to 1500 BCE. Historical lava flows of basaltic composition cover much of the surface of this massive volcano, whose edifice is the highest and most voluminous in Italy. The Mongibello stratovolcano, truncated by several small calderas, was constructed during the late Pleistocene and Holocene over an older shield volcano. The most prominent morphological feature of Etna is the Valle del Bove, a 5 x 10 km caldera open to the east. Two styles of eruptive activity typically occur, sometimes simultaneously. Persistent explosive eruptions, sometimes with minor lava emissions, take place from one or more summit craters. Flank vents, typically with higher effusion rates, are less frequently active and originate from fissures that open progressively downward from near the summit (usually accompanied by Strombolian eruptions at the upper end). Cinder cones are commonly constructed over the vents of lower-flank lava flows. Lava flows extend to the foot of the volcano on all sides and have reached the sea over a broad area on the SE flank.

Sources: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV), Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)