CATANIA. Snow and cold on Etna, 30 degrees in Catania, with a humidity level that significantly increases the perception of the real temperature. These are contrasts, not new, for those who live on the highest active volcano in Europe and on its slopes.
Temperatures have plummeted on Etna which, as can also be seen from the surveillance cameras of the Ingv Etneo Observatory, presents itself with its snow-capped peaks, about 3,000 meters above sea level. Heavy rain has also affected some towns in the area, while in Catania the sky is overcast and the city is shrouded in mugginess. On the volcanic front, the Ingv has published the bulletin for the week including August 19 and 25, which reports the presence of degassing activity from the summit craters, in particular from the South-East with a brief emission of ash on August 23.
The average amplitude of volcanic tremor varied between medium and low values. Thermal activity observed by satellite in the summit area was generally low level with some moderate level thermal anomalies. The bulletin concludes by reporting the presence of “frequent Strombolian activity from the summit craters accompanied by lava emissions” and that “it is not possible to exclude an evolution of the phenomena towards a more energetic activity with the formation of eruptive columns, ash clouds and pyroclastic flows”.
The case is curious especially considering that in Trentino Alto Adige, on the Marmolada specifically, the last minimum with a negative sign was recorded last July 5 at Punta Penia, 3,343 meters. It is approaching zero, without going below for almost two months.
2024-08-28 21:05:28