“Etna emergency”: the Civil Protection raises the level of alert, but what does it really mean? Let’s clarify

1. The Etna, where a new effusive mouth has recently opened at 3100 meters, is in turmoil (as indeed it has been for weeks) and has been giving a fascinating show. But in the last few hours the regional Civil Protection Department has ordered the transition to level F1 of the Etnas system, indicating “a high probability of occurrence of lava fountains”. The General Manager of the Regional Department of Civil Protection Salvo Cocina specified that the local alarm phase was immediately activated and the summit area must also be banned, applying the procedures provided for by the emergency plan.

What is meant by “emergency” and what changes

But what exactly does it mean? The news, which is rebounding on social media and newspapers, is generating some fear of tourists and those who do not live in Sicily and does not know the dynamics related to Etna well. No catastrophe on the horizon and no imminent risk for the population.

Following the laying of the alert level, hikers will not be able to go beyond 2500 meters and the provisions also apply to the authorized guides.

In the meantime, the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology-Etneo Observatory, says that “a persistent Strombolian activity with variable intensity is observed to the southeast crater, with weak and sporadic ash emissions that quickly disperse in the top area”.

“From a seismic point of view, in relation to the average amplitude of the volcanic tremor, as recorded in the last few days, while sometimes showing wide oscillations, this still maintains itself in the interval of high values. The centerid of the sources of the volcanic tremore remains located in the area of ​​the South-East crater, at a share between 2900 and 3000 m above the average level of the sea.” It reads in the last press release of 28 August.

In short, the situation could also return within a few hours and for the moment Catania airport remains operational. Etna simply does what it is: an active volcano (but fortunately one of the most monitored in the world). So we avoid unnecessary alarmism, which they don’t benefit anyone.

Don’t you want to lose our news?

Sources: Civil Protection Department – Region Sicily/Ingv Etneo Observatory