Etna volcano (Italy): effusive activity continues at fluctuating intensity

Thermal image Etna’s summit area seen from the east, showing the SE crater complex and the effusive vents as of this morning (image: INGV Catania)

The effusive activity from the vent at 2850 m elevation at the eastern base of the SE crater complex remains active, but fluctuates strongly. While several new lava flows were seen on the surface near the vent yesterday, only one of them can still be seen weakly alimented this morning.
Overall, there seems to be a slow change towards a possible reactivation of the SE crater itself. Sporadic explosions from its summit vent have been occurring more frequently during the past days and the thermal signal from the crater has increased. Whether and how long the effusive activity continues or gives way to a new phase of explosive activity from the summit vents is impossible to say, but a probably scenario for the near to medium-term future (days to weeks).

The same view yesterday showing two active lava flows from the fissure vent