In just six months, the Southeast crater of Etna – the highest supervolcano in Italy – has grown into a fearsome shape.
Etna itself is already 2.5 times larger than Italy’s most famous volcano, Vesuvius. Vesuvius is the volcano that caused the Pompeii disaster 2,000 years ago, which remains a haunting memory for humanity.
Supervolcano Etna – (Photo: ESA).
According to a new survey from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV – Italy), the youngest and most active crater of Etna has now reached a record height of 3,357 meters above sea level.
“Thanks to satellite image analysis and processing, the Southeast crater is now significantly taller than its ‘brother’ – the Northeast crater – which has held the record for the highest point of Etna for the past 40 years,” Science Alert quoted a statement from INGV.
The Northeast crater – the old “king” – now stands at only 3,326 meters. It once reached 3,350 meters but has since eroded and decreased in height.
Etna is an active supervolcano that is “coexisting peacefully” with the people of Sicily, contributing significantly to the fertility of the surrounding land. The residents of the area also live in safe zones and are prepared to deal with the risk of an eruption from Etna. However, it often causes discomfort for residents due to continuous smoke and ash emissions, posing considerable dangers and inconveniences for nearby villages, blackening streets, dirtying homes, and affecting traffic and agriculture.
