Mt. Etna 2014

Last night there was a little blip a red topping the Vulcanessa.

Over the last few hours I’ve heard a some noisy action - but am not seeing anything on grids or in the clouds.


Is this the wind up for her first explosion this year?

I just can’t say - yet.

peace

As if on queue? Just as I edited the above? She started making that noise I so love to hear - now at narrowing intervals.

I think this might be it!

Eyes Open!

Thank you so much for the "personal pic" of Vulcanessa. I love it.
Sitting on the edge of my seat for your safely captured updates.
Cheers from here.
Aft

Very small eruption but the first of the year none the less produced very small blobs of lava (I couldn't capture) accompanied by small doses of ash.

Many declare the action as a 'clearing of her throat' believing she’s readying for something far more dramatic this year. Considering she’s the most active volcano in Europe (some say the world) I think that’s a pretty fair guess.

There's a small uneventful picture here at SiciliaLive

In this video you can see a little 'blip' of lava here and there.
So - it’s back to watching and guessing.

peace

She's got a little bit a love goin' on at the moment.

Very quiet. No ash.

Like a slow sad bleed.

Eyes still open...

Peace

It’s been a long day of ash and that slow bleed behind the clouds.

A little noise here and there - nothing so loud but enough to be heard.




So - the first eruption is here - not quite gone - but surely not what I’d been expecting.

peace

Quiet all night - slow stream of lava lighting up the clouds - but at the moment she’s really rumbling to life in a big way.


A few moments ago she started up hard and fast with tremors and ‘buffo’(explosions) 'right out of the blue'.

I can’t see anything but I’ll be ready when the coulds clear.

Wow - just in typing time she’s louder and harder still.

Could this be something worth seeing?

Eyes Open

reply to post by silo13


What an awesome pic!
I hope the seemingly impending drama is a beautiful visual with minimal violence.
Be safe.
Cheers from here,
Aft

It’s been a long stormy action packed day for Etna, I regret I couldn’t document much of her eruption from the vineyard.

The ash cloud just consumed the skies for the majority of the day closing the airport.

The lava stream wider than imaginable - yet again - just over the rim of the trees and impossible to catch earlier between the bad weather and the tree line. It wasn’t until moments ago I could bring you anything even slightly worthy - and it’s still lacking.

At this point though - she’s still spewing and rocking and rolling - So this year’s first eruption has definitely raised the bar for longevity, lava flow and ash flow.


Moments ago:


Let’s see what we can see a little later.

Between now and then I’m going to be checking some stats and see if the airport has been reopened.

Eyes still open:

Volcano Discovery

Last night the mild strombolian activity picked up to become intense.
The lava flow from the fissure vent at the eastern base of the New SE crater is still alimented and descend towards Valle del Bove.
After a steeply rising the volcanic tremor has dropped a bit but remains elevated.
Direct observations are difficult due to bad weather.

Amazing! Such a dramatic and gorgeous eruption (though quiet and placid) and no 'real' coverage.

Let's see if I can dig up something more later.

Eyes Open

reply to post by silo13


thanks gracie for the new years shout out, I've been a fan of yours for a while, keep up the great work of taking Etna "selfies"...and hope the wind doesn't blow your way and ruin your spring garden with ash...

Last night - finally a tiny window of opportunity.

What a vision!


This morning. She’s quiet. It’s Sunday. The scars of her last huge lava flow there for all to see. But quiet and calm.


Until next time - keep safe and happy all!

Peace

reply to post by jimmyx

Hi Jimmyx!

I gotta tell you I was feeling really fortunate the wind wasn’t blowing my way the last couple days.
I didn’t come out unscathed - that fine ash still floated in but (for many other reasons) I’ve very little planted at the moment and since peas don’t mind - I’m all set. Thank you for the good wishes though.

I hear where the ash did hit it was HORRIBLE!

I hope you enjoy the new pics and even more your Sunday!

peace

Polyphemus.

His name means ‘abounding in songs and legends’

~ and He’s still here in Sicily ~

I saw him resting on the hill of lava last evening.

peace

silo13

Polyphemus.

His name means ‘abounding in songs and legends’

~ and He’s still here in Sicily ~

I saw him resting on the hill of lava last evening.

peace

Awesome---totally inadequate comment but ...just thanks for posting! He is indeed a fearsome sight!

reply to post by silo13


Did she react to the m6.0 EQ in Greece?
Be safe !

reply to post by donlashway

All I can say is - this morning she calmed.

Now? After that quake you're speaking of?

She's right back on tract (16:30 local).


Eyes Open (again)

peace

Here‘s a look of Our Lady at midday...


And now - a ‘peek’ through the bushes at that renewed action!


Who knows from here - but this one, the first eruption is stretching right on out isn’t it!
Eyes Open

reply to post by silo13


Just popping in to star your lovely photos. Enjoy your beautiful weather.

I know you are quite a ways from Santorini but this is what shows on their Seizmo after the 6.0 Earthquake in Greece today and numerous aftershocks



And here is Etna from same source



So if you say she woke up a bit after the 6.0 Earthquake in Greece, i wonder how Santorini is doing?