Sicily’s Mount Etna put on an impressive volcanic display on Monday, releasing a large plume of smoke and ash that rose several kilometers (miles) into the sky. Authorities confirmed that the eruption posed no risk to nearby communities.
Due to the volcanic activity, the alert level was increased at Catania airport, although flights continued without disruption. By afternoon, officials reported that the ash cloud had dissipated.
According to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the eruption was triggered when part of the volcano’s southeast crater collapsed, causing streams of hot lava to flow down its slopes. This marked the 14th eruptive episode at Europe’s most active volcano in recent months.
The hazardous zone was limited to the summit area, which remained closed to visitors as a precaution, said INGV official Stefano Branca in Catania.
Renato Schifani, president of Sicily, reassured the public that the lava flows had stayed within natural containment boundaries and did not endanger local populations.
The dramatic eruption was widely captured in videos and photos shared on social media, drawing significant attention. Tremors from the volcanic activity were felt across towns and villages surrounding Mount Etna, Italian news outlets reported.
One video showed tourists running along a trail on the volcano’s side as a billowing smoke cloud rose in the background. Mount Etna, standing about 3,300 meters (nearly 11,000 feet) tall with a surface area of approximately 1,200 square kilometers (around 460 square miles), remains a popular destination for excursions.