Thirty years of satellite‐derived lava discharge rates at Etna: Implications for steady volumetric output

We present a 30 year long data set of satellite‐derived time‐averaged lava
discharge rates (TADR) for Mount Etna volcano (Sicily, Italy), spanning 1980–2010
and comprising 1792 measurements during 23 eruptions. We use this to classify eruptions
on the basis of magnitude and intensity, as well as the shape of the TADR time series
which characterizes each effusive event. We find that while 1983–1993 was characterized
by less frequent but longer‐duration effusive eruptions at lower TADRs, 2000–2010
was characterized by more frequent eruptions of shorter duration and higher TADRs.
However, roughly the same lava volume was erupted during both of these 11 year long
periods, so that the volumetric output was linear over the entire 30 year period, increasing
at a rate of 0.8 m3 s−1 between 1980 and 2010. The cumulative volume record can be
extended back in time using data available in the literature. This allows us to assess
Etna’s output history over 5 centuries and to place the current trend in historical context.
We find that output has been stable at this rate since 1971. At this time, the output rate
changed from a low discharge rate phase, which had characterized the period 1759 to
1970, to a high discharge rate phase. This new phase had the same output rate as the
high discharge rate phase that characterized the period 1610–1669. The 1610–1669
phase ended with the most voluminous eruption of historic times.

This contribution is in support of
the LMV‐based (PI: Franck Donnadieu) TerMex‐MYSTRALS project
“Contribution à l’évaluation des risques associés aux activités éruptives
majeures de l’Etna: approche multidisciplinaire des processus et précurseurs.”

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