Case study volcanoes Mount Etna Developed

Question 1

What were the causes Oct 2002

Answer 1

One theory envisages a hot-spot or mantle-plume origin for this volcano, like those that produce the volcanoes in Hawaii.

possibly rifting along the eastern coast of Sicily allowing the uprise of magma.

Immediately before midnight 26 October 2002 (local time=GMT+1), a new flank eruption began on Mount Etna

Question 2

What were the seismic effects

Answer 2

Strong seismicity and ground deformation accompanied the eruption; a particularly strong shock (magnitude 4.4) on 29 October destroyed and damaged numerous buildings on the lower south eastern flank, in the area of Santa Venerina.

More than 100 tremors measuring 1.1 to 3.5 on the Richter scale struck the region, with the epicentre just one mile south-east of the centre of Etna’s crater.

More than 100 tremors measuring 1.1 to 3.5 on the Richter scale struck the region, with the epicentre just one mile south-east of the centre of Etna’s crater.

Question 3

What were other effects

Answer 3

For more than two weeks the International Airport of Catania, Fontanarossa, had to be closed due to ash on the runways.

More than 15 hours after the first eruptions an immense mushroom-shaped cloud still hung over the mountain top

Pine trees caught fire almost instantly as the heat of the lava engulfed them

Schools in the town have been shut down, although the church has remained open for people to pray.

The tourist complex and skiing areas of Piano Provenzana were nearly completely devastated by the lava flows that issued from the NE Rift vents on the first day of the eruption.

Question 4

What were the responses

Answer 4

Villagers tradition of parading their patron saint through the streets to the railway station, to try to ward off the lava flow.

Emergency workers dug channels in the earth in an attempt to divert the northern flow away from the town of Linguaglossa.

a heightened awareness of volcanic and seismic hazards to the Sicilian public

The Italian Government declared a state of emergency in parts of Sicily

A ship equipped with a medical clinic aboard was positioned off Catania - to the south of the volcano - to be ready in case of emergency.

Civil protection officials in Catania, Sicily’s second-biggest city, which sits in the shadow of Etna, surveyed the mountain by helicopter, ready to send water-carrying planes into the skies to fight the fires.