In Sicily, Mount Etna Blows an Unprecedented Frequency of Rare Volcanic Smoke Rings

Known to locals as the “Lady of the Rings,” Sicily’s Mount Etna is both the highest island mountain in the Mediterranean and the most active stratovolcano in the world. The magnificent landform has even more impressive qualities considering it emits elegant smoke rings, known as volcanic vortex rings, high into the sky. A video from The Straits Times documents the fascinating formations as they drift through the atmosphere.

The rings appeared for the first time since last December when a small vent opened on the Southeast cater. This phenomenon rarely occurs because of the specific conditions required for the vapors and gases to produce the forms. When enough pressure builds up inside the volcano, magma inside the crater propels condensed gases like water vapor up through the vent.

Scientists say Mount Etna produces more vortex rings than any other volcano on Earth. The New York Times reported that the frequency this month “has broken all previous records,” according to Boris Behncke, a volcanologist at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology of Catania.

If you’re up for some more drama in the earth’s crust, you might enjoy exploring an aerial view of Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall volcano or an award-winning animation about some unsuspecting birds and a sudden BOOM.

two volcanic vortex rings in the sky above Mount Etna

All images © The Straits Times

a gif of a volcanic vortex ring moving through the sky

Mount Etna emitting a series of volcanic vortex rings

a detail of a volcanic vortex ring from Mount Etna showing the gaseous form in the air

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article In Sicily, Mount Etna Blows an Unprecedented Frequency of Rare Volcanic Smoke Rings appeared first on Colossal.