The Etna volcano is still active and has reached a new height record | It is the highest in Europe

The intense activity recorded in the volcano Etna has generated an unexpected phenomenon: the geological structure, the highest in Europe, has grown a few meters more, until it is located in 3,357 meters. Italian residents have once again inundated social media with images of lava and fire explosions.

“The activity recorded in 2021 produced the accumulation of significant quantities of pyroclastic materials and lava layers in the cone of the crater southeast, the newest and most active of the four craters at the top of the Etna, causing a considerable transformation of the silhouette of the volcano“explained the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) in a press release.

Thanks to the analysis of satellite images, INGV scientists were able to conclude that the crater The South East now overtakes its “big brother” North East. It was for forty years the summit of the famous volcano.

The height of 3,357 meters, which has a margin of error of plus or minus three meters, was analyzed using images from the Pléiades satellite. These were carried out in July within the framework of the international association “Geohazard Supersites and Natural Laboratories”, which facilitated the updating of the digital model of the Etna.

Etna volcano in Catania

Its majestic presence is essential in the east of Sicily and in particular in the city of Catania. Beyond the scientific aspect, the daily life of the inhabitants of the area surrounding the Etna he is affected by his frenetic activity of the past few months. “Since February, we have registered 55 events”says Tania Cannizzaro, a retiree living in Catania.

“Depending on the intensity of the wind, the roars of the volcano they arrive in Catania and shake the windows. The ashes carried by the wind fall all the time on the streets and balconies and everything turns black, “he added.

Since 1980, the summit of volcano I was in the crater northeast, which reached a maximum height of 3,350 meters after eruptive activity in September 1980 and February 1981. Etna then lost a few meters due to landslides at the edges of the crater, dropping to 3,326 meters in 2018.

the Etna is the highest volcano active in Europe, with frequent eruptions for about 500,000 years.