 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Vortex Clouds Around Mount Etna

   November 26, 2021

    Etna turbini 21092021

   Photographer:  Rosario Catania

   Summary Author:  Rosario Catania;  Cadan Cummings

   The photo above shows  Mount Etna, one of the tallest and most
   active volcanoes in Europe, producing a spectacular cloud vortex from
   its eruption plumes. Etna frequently produces  eruptive columns
   formed by volcanic ash, magma fragments and gas- which is also known as
    tephra- mixed additionally with water vapor. The force of this
   vertical jet is a product of the accumulated pressure from the
   eruption. Remarkably, the plumes can rise for miles in the atmosphere
   and often reach the  stratosphere. In addition to their astounding
   height, the eruptive columns can also achieve very high temperatures
   and become incredibly dense. Sometimes these columns can be observed
   near Etna vapor clouds and darker clouds of tephra, which can precede
   one another and at times even overlap or merge together. The result of
   this interaction can be spectacular and occasionally  vortices have
   been observed that connect between the two formations. These vortices
   are likely formed because of the  temperature gradient between the
   hot eruption column and comparably colder clouds. In the picture you
   can see these connections between the two types of clouds.
     * Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy Coordinates: 37.751, 14.993

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