The latest paroxysm of Etna occurred during last night 22-23 May 2021, following about 40 hours since the previous one during 20-21 May, and marking the 3rd such episode in a row in May or number 20 during the year 2021 so far.
Similar as during the preceding two eruptions, the main active vent was in the summit region of the New SE crater, the one known as „saddle vent“ (because it used to be in a small depression between the old SE crater and the „New“ SE crater, which has been growing a large cone complex to the side of it since 2011).
The peak phase of the eruption occurred between 22:30 local time and midnight. As typical for such paroxysms, the activity ended abruptly, and had ceased by 00:30. Approx. two hours later, a brief phase of reactivation with strong explosions occurred again from the New SE crater, but ceased again quickly.
During the eruption, another rather small lava flow was formed from the cone that traveled to the SW and overlapped older lava flows in this area.