Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, erupted on Monday, leaving tourists running for their lives.
Footage shared online showed tourists running along a ledge of the volcano in Sicily, as a huge ash cloud of ash grew behind them. Other footage showed people in a surrounding village on a main street while the volcano erupted in the background.
Etna is a popular tourist attraction in Sicily, but it’s also a source of danger. Deriving from the Greek aithō, ‘I burn,’ Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. This year the site has been particularly active, with 13 reported eruptions so far, including some where lava fountains burst out.
Here’s everything we know about the eruption so far.
Where is Mount Etna?
Mount Etna is located on the east coast of Sicily. It covers approximately 600 square miles (1,600 square km), and has a base circumference of around 93 miles (150 km).
When did Mount Etna erupt?
The first volcanic tremors began around 10pm on Sunday, reaching a peak three hours later.
In a statement, Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) said that the "values of the magnitude of the tremor" had a "tendency to increase further”.
The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre Toulouse (VAAC) said that an ash cloud, made predominantly of water and sulphur dioxide, was "drifting towards the south west”. The cloud was so large that the nearby town of Catania fell into near darkness. VAAC issued a temporary “code red” for aviation.
Mount Etna continued to be monitored. In a later statement, INGV said that the volcanic activity had "carried on with Strombolian explosions of growing intensity that, at the moment, are of strong intensity and nearly continuous.”
"Over the past few hours, the falling of a little thin ash has been flagged in the Piano Vetore area," the INGV said.
The institute warned that the "values of the magnitude of the tremor are currently elevated with a tendency to increase further,” observing that the explosive activity “has moved to a lava fountain”, according to reports.
However, at 11.15am, they said that the volcanic flow did "not appear to have crossed the edge" of the surrounding Valley of the Lion.
The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Toulouse said that the volcanic ash plume reached an altitude of around 6,400 metres.
When did it last erupt?
The famous volcano previously erupted in February, sending hot lava spewing down the mountain. It caused dozens of flights to Catania airport to be diverted, due to ash clouds.
Has the eruption caused flight issues?
The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre initially issued a ‘code red’ alert, however, this has since been downgraded to amber.
Still, tourists planning to travel to Sicily may feel unsure whether it’s still safe to go.
An amber alert means that it’s still possible for flights to be disrupted.
There are four main international airports in Sicily: Catania-Fontanarossa (CTA), Palermo-Falcone Borsellino (PMO), Trapani-Birgi (TPS), and Ragusa-Comiso (CIY).
At present, all four airports seem to be continuing as usual, with minor disruption at Catania Airport, which is located at the foot of Mount Etna. Departures have been taking off as scheduled, but arrivals from Berlin, Milan and Rome have been delayed this afternoon, according to The Metro.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not released any new travel advice. Generally, the FCDO’s advice is that you should follow the guidance of local authorities in the event of a volcanic eruption.
“If you are asked to evacuate, do so as soon as possible and take your key documents (for example, passport) and necessary supplies (for example, medication) with you,” FCDO says.
“If you are not told to evacuate but are in an affected area, you should shelter in place. Close any windows and turn off air conditioning or HVAC systems. Ensure that you have enough basic supplies (including food, necessary medication and bottled water) given power may be affected and water supplies may be contaminated. If you cannot get basic supplies to shelter in place, you may need to evacuate.
“If you go outside, cover your skin and wear a mask or other face covering, as volcanic ash could irritate your skin and airways.”
Tourists have been told to stay away from the volcano's lava flows.
