Etna put on a spectacular show for amazed tourists as they watched the volcano blow rings of smoke into the sky.
The rare phenomenon – known as volcanic smoke rings – can only form in a circular volcanic vent and requires a calm atmosphere.
Despite the name, the rings are not technically made of smoke, but of condensed gases, mainly water vapor, that have escaped the magma and shot up from the volcano’s vent.
The result of these hot volcanic gases suddenly escaping from the circular opening in short pulses is what creates the ring shape.
Italy’s Etna put on a spectacular show for amazed tourists as they watched the volcano blow rings of smoke into the sky
The rare phenomenon – known as volcanic smoke rings – can only form in a circular volcanic vent and requires a calm atmosphere
Despite the name, the rings are not technically made of smoke, but of condensed gases, mainly water vapor, that have escaped the magma and shot up from the volcano’s vent.
The result of these hot volcanic gases suddenly escaping from the circular opening in short pulses is what creates the ring shape
Such volcanic smoke rings have been documented worldwide, but multiple displays like those on Etna are extremely rare.
Even if a volcano has the ability to create smoke rings, strong winds will prevent them from forming.
Located on the island of Sicily at the southernmost tip of Italy, the volcano is the most active volcano in Europe and rises 3,000 meters above the town of Bronte.
A perfectly circular volcanic smoke ring blown by Mount Etna in the town of Bronte in Sicily, Italy
Such volcanic smoke rings have been documented worldwide, but multiple displays like this one in Sicily are extremely rare
Located on the island of Sicily at the southernmost tip of Italy, the volcano is the most active volcano in Europe and rises 3,000 meters above the town of Bronte.
The volcano erupts regularly and the explosions have been closely monitored and documented for more than 3,500 years.
The volcano erupts regularly and the explosions have been closely monitored and documented for more than 3,500 years.
During a six-month period in 2021, Etna emitted so much volcanic material that its height grew almost 30 meters.
Etna’s most destructive eruption occurred in 1669, when about fourteen towns and cities were destroyed by the lava flows or earthquakes that followed the eruption.