Mt Etna CS Flashcards
Location
east Sicily = island SW of coast of Italy
plate tectonics
African and Eurasian, destructive plates
cause
African becomes magma as it is subducted. the Ionian micro plate tilts to allow magma through
how frequent are the eruptions?
very frequent. most active in europe
when was its most recent eruption?
February 2017
what was the VEI of the December 2015 eruption?
3.2-4.1
what were the characteristics of the 2015 eruption?
1 km lava fountain. 3-7 km high ash plumes
what were the primary impacts of the 2015 eruption?
volcanic lightning, sulfur dioxide plumes.
what were the secondary impacts of the 2015 eruption?
closure of airports, increased global warning. ash plumes reached Egypt, lybia and Tunisia.
what are examples of prevention strategies Sicily has tried?
dams, and channels to divert flow, concrete blocks to plug lava flow.
When was the most volumous eruption in 300 yrs
14 dec 1991
How long did the 1991 eruption last?
473 days
Effects of the 1991 eruption
No deaths
Lava destroyed springs which provide water to one of the near towns
Costs ran into millions of lira.
