Massive ash cloud erupts from Sicily’s Mount Etna in fiery volcanic show

Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, put on a spectacular display on Monday, sending a massive cloud of smoke and ash several kilometres into the air. While the eruption caused some tourists to scramble, officials reassured the public that there was no immediate danger to the population.

The Catania airport raised its level of alert due to the volcanic activity, although no flights were immediately affected. By the afternoon, the ash cloud emission had ceased, bringing relief to residents and tourists alike.

Videos and photos of the eruption captured the dramatic moment when part of the southeast crater collapsed, leading to hot lava flows and billowing clouds of ash. The scene resembled the volcano splitting in half, a breathtaking sight for onlookers.

Italy’s INGV National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology reported that the volcanic clouds reached a height of 6,500 metres at one point during the eruption, marking the 14th eruptive phase in recent months. The summit of Etna was closed to tourists as a precaution, with the southeast crater sitting about 2,800 metres above sea level.

Sicily’s president, Renato Schifani, reassured the public that the lava flows from the eruption had not posed a threat to the population, as they remained within a natural containment area. Despite the dramatic nature of the eruption, no major damage or injuries were reported.

Mount Etna has a long history of dramatic fits, with mid-May witnessing plumes of lava and ash shooting up into the sky near the active southeast crater. The tremors from Monday’s eruption were felt in surrounding towns and villages, prompting the Civil Protection in Sicily to advise hikers to avoid the volcano’s summit until further notice.

Overall, while Mount Etna’s fiery show may have caused some chaos and excitement, it ultimately served as a reminder of the raw power of nature and the importance of respecting the forces at play within our world.