Europe’s most active volcano has awoken again, with Mount Etna sending dramatic plumes of ash and smoke onto the Sicilian sky early Monday morning. Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported explosions of “increasing intensity” originating from a 200-meter-wide vent on the volcano’s southeastern slope.
While the full scale of this Strombolian-type eruption remains unclear, initial observations show:
- Pyroclastic flows (fast-moving mixtures of gas, ash and rock) descending the slopes
- No immediate threat to populated areas
- Minimal disruption to air travel at nearby airports
The volcanic activity began just after midnight local time, with geologists suggesting a partial crater collapse may have triggered the eruption. Tourist access remains restricted to the Valley of the Lion safety point as monitoring continues.
This marks Etna’s first significant activity since February’s eruption, which forced Catania Airport to divert flights due to ash clouds. the volcano’s frequent but typically non-destructive eruptions make it both a geological wonder and a popular tourist attraction, offering scientists valuable opportunities to study volcanic processes.
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