The Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV) reported continuing activity at Etna during 7-15 April. All the summit craters were characterized by degassing during the week and Strombolian activity was reported at SE Crater during 7-8, 11, and 15 April. At around 2300 on 7 April explosive activity produced a plume that drifted SE and resulted in ashfall in both Catania (29 km SSE) and Nicolosi (16 km S). At 0040 on 8 April a lava effusion began, with a flow descending the S flank. According to a Skysat image from 11 April, the lava flow covered an area of 14,000 m2, was 500 m long, and reached an elevation of 3 km (9,800 ft) a.s.l. Another Strombolian event began around 1400 on 11 April, though weather conditions prevented clear views of the summit. An active lava flow observed on the E flank around 2000 on 11 April had stopped by midnight. An ash plume during this time extended SE and resulted in light ashfall in Lavinaio, Acireale (20 km SE), and Aci San Antonio (18 km SE). By 12 April Strombolian activity was no longer observed. On 15 April Strombolian activity resumed at SE Crater, accompanied by moderate ash emissions, based on webcam images and INGV-OE personnel in the field.

Geological Summary. Mount Etna, towering above Catania on the island of Sicily, has one of the world's longest documented records of volcanism, dating back to 1500 BCE. Historical lava flows of basaltic composition cover much of the surface of this massive volcano, whose edifice is the highest and most voluminous in Italy. The Mongibello stratovolcano, truncated by several small calderas, was constructed during the late Pleistocene and Holocene over an older shield volcano. The most prominent morphological feature of Etna is the Valle del Bove, a 5 x 10 km caldera open to the east. Two styles of eruptive activity typically occur, sometimes simultaneously. Persistent explosive eruptions, sometimes with minor lava emissions, take place from one or more summit craters. Flank vents, typically with higher effusion rates, are less frequently active and originate from fissures that open progressively downward from near the summit (usually accompanied by Strombolian eruptions at the upper end). Cinder cones are commonly constructed over the vents of lower-flank lava flows. Lava flows extend to the foot of the volcano on all sides and have reached the sea over a broad area on the SE flank.

Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)