Etna volcano. Photo: Roby Fazio / SplashNews.com
Mount Etna once again demonstrated its power with a spectacular eruption on the east coast of Sicily last night. This led to the closure of Catania International Airport, causing significant disruption to air traffic and chaos for passengers.
According to the Italian Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the volcano threw a giant cloud of ash and volcanic gases into the sky that rose to a height of 9,500 meters. Due to this volcanic dust, the airport was shut down until the evening until workers could clear the runways and planes.
The streets and buildings of Catania were covered in dark gray ash, creating a fantastic yet disturbing picture. Local authorities have urged people to avoid traveling to the airport until it is confirmed that flights can resume.
Etna, the highest and most active volcano in Europe, has once again attracted the attention of the whole world with its explosive nature. With a height of about 3,350 meters, it has repeatedly demonstrated its power, and the latest eruptions were no exception. Despite regular monitoring, the volcano’s unpredictability takes locals and tourists by surprise every time.
Since the beginning of July, the region has seen an increase in seismic activity, which, it is now clear, was a precursor to this spectacular eruption. Local authorities and geologists continue to monitor the situation, as further eruptions may be possible.
