View of the summit area of Etna after the two paroxysms on 4 and 6 July 2024 (image: Emilio Messina Photography / facebook)
After the two intense paroxysms at the Voragina central crater, the summit area of Etna has changed beyond imagination:
– The new cone built up by this activity is now likely the new summit of Etna volcano (formal confirmation missing);
– The western summit crater, Bocca Nuova, with its two deep pits existing until 4 July, has been completely filled by new lava;
– over-spilling lava poured over the western crater rim of Bocca Nuova over the western flank of the volcano in a short-lived lava flow.