Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, has been frequently erupting since February 2023. Ejecting ash clouds and lava fountains, this colossal volcano is one of the world’s largest and has a history intertwined with layers of lava, ash, and rocks accumulated over thousands of years.
Introduction to Mount Etna
Situated on Sicily’s eastern coast, an island in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Italy, Mount Etna towers at about 3,300 meters above sea level. It spans an area of approximately 1,200 square kilometers. Characterized by its four summit craters and hundreds of lateral vents, Mount Etna has been erupting almost incessantly since 1500 BC, contributing to its status as one of the most active volcanoes globally.
Understanding Volcanoes
Volcanoes are essentially openings or vents that facilitate the eruption of lava, rocks, and steam onto the Earth’s surface. They are a result of the planet’s formation and several tectonic plate collisions and movements.
Volcanoes Based on Frequency of Eruption
Active volcanoes, such as Mount Etna, erupt regularly, primarily dotting the Pacific Ring of Fire. This region stretches from New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Japan to the western coast of the Americas, and accounts for approximately 90% of the world’s earthquakes. Some notable examples are Kilauea in Hawaii and Santa Maria in Guatemala.
Dormant volcanoes, like Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, though not extinct, have refrained from erupting in recent history. However, they might be potential candidates for future eruptions.
Extinct or inactive volcanoes, such as Dhinodhar hill in Gujarat, India, have not experienced any eruptions in the distant geological past.
Volcanoes Based on Geological Formations
The basic type of volcanic eruption stems from magma rich in iron and magnesium but low in silica. This magma is dark-colored, like basalt, and travels far to create broad shield volcanoes. Acidic eruptions come from light-colored, low-density volcanic material with high silica content, forming the typical cone volcano shape.
Techniques for predicting volcanic eruptions
Several tools and methods are used to anticipate volcanic eruptions. These include seismic data that monitor earthquakes and tremors as potential precursors, ground deformation observations to track magma movement, and analysis of gas emissions, gravity, and magnetic field changes.
Highlighting the importance of such predictions, an Emergency Alert System has been implemented during earthquakes, providing vital alerts and information to the public.
Notable Volcanic Eruptions
The Barren Island volcano, located 140 km east of Great Nicobar, is an active Indian territory volcano. Its last eruption was in 1991, after which it has remained inactive since then. The ongoing eruptions of major volcanoes worldwide, including those in 2021, have significantly impacted the regional environment. They influence air quality, climate change, and even result in loss of life and property.
