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groups of students simulated a real volcano observatory Regina Maaß
dealing with a volcanic crisis, and had to use the instruments “It was very special to be directly on site at the slope of Etna while
and tools provided and taught during the school to respond to learning interdisciplinary methods of volcano monitoring. Several
the crisis. In the late afternoon, each group presented their field trips, among others to the craters of Etna, showed impressively
results together with different statements prepared by them how important it is to monitor volcanoes through different disciplines
for communication to civil protection authorities and to the in order to anticipate eruptions. In fact, the volcano erupted again
media, with ample discussion with senior researcher, only 10 days after we left Sicily. I was also fascinated by the history of
particularly those from the INGV Etna Volcano Observatory. Etna, which originally had only one crater instead of today's 4, and
The third day of the school was dedicated to the field trip to whose activity has increased rapidly over the last century. The fact
Mount Etna. The trip was led by Boris Behncke from the Etna that we got access to real data from an earlier eruption of Etna and
Observatory, who presented with engaging and compelling were allowed to analyze it was really cool.”
attitude the history and evolution of the volcano, adding
stories and anecdotes about recent and past eruptions as well
as about volcanologists who worked on the volcano.

Multiparametric Experiment on Mount Etna

The IMPROVE field experiment on Mount Etna took place from and finally a high speed visible and an infrared camera plus
July 23 to August 2, 2023. All of the IMPROVE ESRs actively microphone positioned on the crater rim. This network worked
participated in the experiment, which involved deploying together with the permanent monitoring network of the INGV
instruments, periodically checking their functionality, Etna Observatory, consisting of about 200 multi-parametric
downloading data and starting their analysis, and finally instruments. The collected data provide the basis for the
dimantling the instrumentation. The organization of the analyses by six ESRs who are developing their PhD on Mount
experiment primarily involved personnel from INGV – Etnean Etna. Initial analyses triggered vivid discussion, particularly in
Observatory, with secondary support from personnel from the context of numerical solutions for the dynamics of magma
INGV Pisa. The experiment mainly focused on two aspects of convection in underground volcanic systems.
the shallow Mount Etna dynamics: its degassing and the
movement of magma. The experiment also included a two-day field trip aimed at
providing the ESRs with an understanding of the structural
The instruments deployed during the experiment included: two complexities that characterize an active volcano. Specifically,
broadband seismic stations, four high frequency GNSS the trip focused on the major structures along the North-East
receivers, one clinometer and one diffused degassing and East volcano flanks of Mount Etna and how these structures
measurement device, two seismic arrays with ~100 nodes, an impact the setup of a volcano monitoring system.
about 1 km long fibre optic and dedicated acquisition system,

Alejandra Vásquez Castillo
“The multiparametric experiment at Etna offered us a number of
significant experiences. We had the great opportunity to be involved in
the logistics of instrument deployment while becoming more familiar
with the complexity of the volcano and the signs of activity it exhibited.
The experiment allowed us to measure and analyze multiple
parameters simultaneously, such as seismic activity, ground
deformation and gas emissions, helping us to have a more complete
assessment and understanding of Mt. Etna's behavior and to develop
our scientific criteria. I enjoyed the experiment, the time with my ESR
colleagues and loved being there, at the top of this imposing volcano:
"la mamma"”

Editorial work: Patrizia Pantani