International

In Photos: Etna Volcano

While the physical conditions under which volcanic vortex rings form are still not entirely known, scientists believe they are the result of a combination of fast gas release at the top of the magma conduit and regularity in the shape of the emitting vent.

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Italy Etna Volcano
Italy Etna Volcano | Photo: AP/Giuseppe Di Stefano

Volcanic vortex rings emerge from a new pit crater on the north side of the southeast crater of the Etna Volcano in Sicily, Italy.

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Italy Etna Volcano
Italy Etna Volcano | Photo: AP/Giuseppe Di Stefano
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Volcanic vortex rings emerge from a new pit crater on the north side of the southeast crater of the Etna Volcano in Sicily, Italy.

2/6
Italy Etna Volcano
Italy Etna Volcano | Photo: AP/Giuseppe Di Stefano
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Volcanic vortex rings emerge from a new pit crater on the north side of the southeast crater of the Etna Volcano in Sicily, Italy.

3/6
Italy Etna Volcano
Italy Etna Volcano | Photo: AP/Giuseppe Di Stefano
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People look at volcanic vortex rings emerging from a new pit crater on the north side of the southeast crater of the Etna Volcano in Sicily, Italy.

4/6
Italy Etna Volcano
Italy Etna Volcano | Photo: AP/Giuseppe Di Stefano
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A volcanic vortex ring emerges from a new pit crater on the north side of the southeast crater of the Etna Volcano in Sicily, Italy.

5/6
Italy Etna Volcano
Italy Etna Volcano | Photo: AP/Giuseppe Di Stefano
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Volcanic vortex rings emerge from a new pit crater on the north side of the southeast crater of the Etna Volcano in Sicily, Italy.

6/6
Italy Etna Volcano
Italy Etna Volcano | Photo: AP/Giuseppe Di Stefano
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People look at volcanic vortex rings emerging from a new pit crater on the north side of the southeast crater of the Etna Volcano in Sicily, Italy.