Mount Etna’s ancient eruptions did not follow a single pattern, according to a new report. Some magma lingered close to the surface for weeks, while other magma raced upward from nearly 30 kilometers deep in a matter of hours.
Researchers traced the difference to volcanic gases, including carbon dioxide, which appear to have shaped how quickly magma moved through the volcano’s plumbing. The finding highlights that even a single volcano can produce dramatically different eruption styles depending on conditions deep underground.
Because this report draws on only one source, there are no conflicting accounts to compare. The results are based on the ScienceDaily summary of the research, which does not include full methodological details.