The case of the 1981 eruption of Mount Etna: An example of very fast moving lava flows

The 1981 eruption of Mount Etna exhibited an unusually high lava discharge rate of 640 m³/s, significantly faster than typical flank eruptions. This exceptional flow threatened the town of Randazzo and was reconstructed using historical photogrammetric data to analyze its temporal evolution, cumulative volume, and discharge trends. The study suggests that the high discharge rate resulted from a dike intercepting a shallow magma reservoir, leading to its rapid emptying. Comparing Etna's behavior with other high-discharge volcanoes provides insights into eruptive mechanisms, offering potential strategies for mitigating future risks in populated areas.

Coltelli, M., Marsella, M., Proietti, C., & Scifoni, S. (2012). The case of the 1981 eruption of Mount Etna: An example of very fast moving lava flows. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 13(1). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1029/2011gc003876