A spectacle as fascinating as it is disturbing. Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, began to belch smoke and ash during a new eruption on Sunday, forcing the closure of Catania airport in Sicily.
“Due to the eruptive activity of Mount Etna and the abundant amounts of volcanic ash that have fallen on the airport, flight operations are suspended until safe conditions are restored,” the airport said. of Catania in a press release.
It culminates at 3,324 meters
Loud rumblings had been heard in the area since Sunday morning, the Repubblica daily reported. Heavy clouds around the volcano’s summit impaired visibility, hiding ash discharges into the atmosphere, the Italian Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology (INGV) said.
Culminating at 3,324 meters, Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. It has erupted frequently over the past 500,000 years. Last year, around 10 million passengers passed through Catania International Airport, which serves the eastern part of Sicily, one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations.