Mt Etna
Mt Etna: MEDC case study of a volcanic eruption
Location:
Mt Etna is located in Sicily, Italy
Europe’s highest (3,300m)and most active volcano
Supports rich agricultural land
Displays dramatic volcanic scenery created by several calera collapses
There have been at least 60 flank eruptions and many summit eruptions since AD1600, around half have occurred since the beginning of the 20th century
Since 2001 it has seen an eruption every year
Physical reasons for the event:
Mt Etna is a composite volcano created from the subduction of the African plate beneath the Eurasian plate; deformation of the plates associated with subduction allows magma to rise to the surface through weaknesses in the crust.
A number of theories have been proposed to explain Etna's location and eruptive history, including rifting processes, a hot spot, and intersection of structural breaks in the crust. Scientists are still debating which best fits their data, and are using a variety of methods to build a better image of the Earth's crust below the volcano.
Two styles of eruptive activity occur at Mt Etna:
1. Persistent explosive eruptions sometimes with minor lava flows, usually from one or more of the three main summit craters
2. Flank vents with higher lava flow rates – these are less frequently active and originate from fissures that open down from the summit
2001 eruption causes: complex flank eruption where all four summit craters produced spectacular and powerful activity, ranging from mild, persistent, slow (strombolian) activity, to high-energy explosive episodes. Lava flowed from all four summit craters as well as from fissures near the south east crater. The main eruption started on 12th July and lasted for 24 days. Lava flows reached temperatures of 1000ᴼC.
Impacts
Social
A dense plume of ash drifted for hundreds of kilometres, mostly to the south east, causing heavy ash falls that disrupted air traffic in the area and was a serious nuisance to local people
It is estimated that 77
Location:
Mt Etna is located in Sicily, Italy
Europe’s highest (3,300m)and most active volcano
Supports rich agricultural land
Displays dramatic volcanic scenery created by several calera collapses
There have been at least 60 flank eruptions and many summit eruptions since AD1600, around half have occurred since the beginning of the 20th century
Since 2001 it has seen an eruption every year
Physical reasons for the event:
Mt Etna is a composite volcano created from the subduction of the African plate beneath the Eurasian plate; deformation of the plates associated with subduction allows magma to rise to the surface through weaknesses in the crust.
A number of theories have been proposed to explain Etna's location and eruptive history, including rifting processes, a hot spot, and intersection of structural breaks in the crust. Scientists are still debating which best fits their data, and are using a variety of methods to build a better image of the Earth's crust below the volcano.
Two styles of eruptive activity occur at Mt Etna:
1. Persistent explosive eruptions sometimes with minor lava flows, usually from one or more of the three main summit craters
2. Flank vents with higher lava flow rates – these are less frequently active and originate from fissures that open down from the summit
2001 eruption causes: complex flank eruption where all four summit craters produced spectacular and powerful activity, ranging from mild, persistent, slow (strombolian) activity, to high-energy explosive episodes. Lava flowed from all four summit craters as well as from fissures near the south east crater. The main eruption started on 12th July and lasted for 24 days. Lava flows reached temperatures of 1000ᴼC.
Impacts
Social
A dense plume of ash drifted for hundreds of kilometres, mostly to the south east, causing heavy ash falls that disrupted air traffic in the area and was a serious nuisance to local people
It is estimated that 77