The mysterious vortex rings of Etna are an extraordinary sight of nature

Etna, a volcano located in Sicily, is known as the most active volcano in Europe. Its dynamic nature and unique volcanic activity constantly attract the attention of scientists and tourists from all over the world. However, recently, the object of interest and admiration has become not the volcanic activity itself, but the strange and fascinating "vortex rings".

These mysterious rings, consisting of a mixture of smoke, steam and gases, burst out of a single hole in the crater of Bocca Nuova. This phenomenon, which has been observed for about a week, shows no signs of stopping and is a unique spectacle of nature.

The vortex rings of Etna are formed as a result of the explosion of gas bubbles in a narrow channel above the magmatic hearth. Due to the force, the gas moves to the surface at high speed. This process leads to the depletion of gas along the walls of the pipeline, as a result of which it acquires an annular shape. It is this extraordinary volcanic activity that gives Etna more vortex rings than any other volcano in the world.

A recent study published in Scientific Reports showed that perfect rings require a combination of rapid release of gas bubbles and a properly shaped outlet. This unique combination is responsible for the extraordinary perfection of Etna's vortex rings.

While vortex rings have also been observed on other volcanoes such as Stromboli, they are particularly impressive on Mount Etna. In 2000, this volcano released a record number of vortex rings - 5000. The current amount is similar to this period, which may indicate a possible increase in volcanic activity.

However, it is worth noting that the recent activity of Etna, including the discovery of a new vent in Bocca Nuova and small eruptions in the southeastern crater, do not mean that a major eruption is inevitable. However, these events indicate the dynamic nature of the volcano and its constant activity.

The mysterious vortex rings of Etna are not only a fascinating natural phenomenon, but also an important source of information about the dynamic nature of the volcano. Although more research is needed to fully understand the significance of the vortex rings, their observation is a reminder of the unpredictable and exciting force of nature that can only be seen in one of the most active volcanoes in Europe.