Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (20)
Viewers also liked
Viewers also liked (16)
Similar to Eruption of Mount Etna
Similar to Eruption of Mount Etna (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Eruption of Mount Etna
- 1. Eruption of Mount Etna Rianna A
- 2. Background • Where? – east coast of Sicily • When? – July 2001 • Type of volcano – series of nested stratovolcanoes • Largest active continental volcano in Europe • High mag explosions are rare
- 3. What is a composite volcano? • Steep sided cone is built from: - lava flows - volcanic ash - cinder blocks - bombs • Summit consists of craters with the cluster vents inside • Lava flows out through the crater on fissures in the cone wall
- 4. Morphology of Etna • Extremely complex physical structure - Upper section is made of 4 summit vents - Individual volcanoes on the volcanoes sides (parasitic cones) • Located over a subduction zone - African under Eurasian • When a crater collapses = calderas • Many of the summit craters have collapsed once
- 5. Initial Eruption -2001 • Started on 12th July and lasted 24 days • Lateral and eccentric activity simultaneously occurred - 4 powerful summit eruption - 6 powerful parasitic cone eruption • Dense ash clouds drifted across the south-east
- 6. Impacts • See parks model • Ash clouds disrupted air travel and Catania airport closed to clear ash from runways • 300 family run businesses where affected • Damage was mainly done to ski lifts and cable cars • Less snow settled on the slopes due to heat from the volcano leaving ski resorts with less terrain open to clients. • No deaths or injuries
- 7. Frequency of Eruptions • Roman records from 122 B.C. indicate a large eruption blocked the sun for several days • 1669 – most destructive volcanic eruption recorded (1,550 people died) • Continuously erupts
- 8. Preparedness • Monitoring eruption – observatories, satellites and ground bases studies the change in volcanic activity • Global volcano monitoring system – the terra satellite by NASA spots volcanoes that are about to erupt using thermal anomalies on the earths surface • Weather satellite pictures are used to monitor remote dangerous volcanoes
- 9. Conclusion • Etna is increasing in magnitude when compared with past events • Lava produced is typical of explosive volcanoes • There is no explanation to the recent change in activity • It is impossible to predict the next major eruption • People will still inhabit the area due to its warm climate and spectacular scenery
- 10. sources • http://www.livescience.com/27421-mount-etna.html • Geoactive file • Wikipedia
Editor's Notes
- Etna is located on the east coast of Sicily and is home to 6,000 residents. Many of who use the fertile land and tourism to live. Calculations suggest lava has been flowing from the summit for the past 5,000 years. Hence this composite volcano is the largest and most active in Europe. High magnitude eruptions have begun to increase in frequency after the 2001 eruption.
- As the diagram shows a composite volcano is made from alternating layers of lava flow, volcanic ash and pyroclastic flow. Etna is a unique specimen as its central vent is really a cluster of multiple different vents. Side vents or fissures allows more lava to flow out.
- As the volcano is over 5,000 years old mini side volcanoes have formed from the side vents these are called parasitic cones. Like other Mediterranean volcanoes Etna lies on a subductive zone where the African tectonic plate is being pushed under the Eurasian plate. The magma produced is characteristic of deep sea ridge volcanoes, scientists are unable to explain why this is. Craters can be found with in a vent, when it collapses a calderas is formed.
- On July 12th 2001 the eruption began and lasted 24 days. Over the course of this period there were 4 summit and 6 parasitic eruptions. A dense ash cloud was formed quite early.
- To begin with there were no casualties or fatalities the eruption causes damage to businesses and disruptions in air travel. Once the ash settled airports remained closed in order to clean runways. 300 family run businesses lost out on tourist money over the next few months. As ski companies where forced to close slopes due to lack of snow. Lastly the only
- The volcano has been erupting continuously for the past decade. Records from as early as 122 b.c. indicates its been erupting, hence it has the longest record ever. Roman records say it blocked the sun for several days causing widespread damage. For 10 years after taxes were lifted to help rebuild the city of Catania. Then in 1669 the most destructive volcanic eruption was recorded. 1,550 people dies and civilians tried to divert lava flow away from the town by digging trenches.
- Since the eruption can not be predicted ground observatories, satellites and pictures are used to monitor volcanic activity and detect any anomalies. An example of one satellite is Terra, NASA uses this to spot volcanoes that are about ot erupt using thermal anomalies on the earths surface
- To conclude Etna is increasing in magnitude exponentially further more the lava is becoming more explosive. There is no scientific explanation yet for this change. Lastly, it is impossible to predict when the next major eruption will occur.