The volcano has experienced frequent eruptions throughout its history, which stretches back around 500,000 years.
ROME: Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted Saturday in Sicily, Italy, sending smoke and volcanic ash into the air and forcing authorities to temporarily suspend arriving flights at a nearby airport.
The eruption from Mount Etna caused volcanic ash to spread into the atmosphere, leading Catania International Airport to close part of its airspace.
“Due to Etna’s eruptive activity and the release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the airspace affected by the ash cloud has been closed,” Catania Airport said in a statement.
The airport said flights departing from Catania were continuing as scheduled for aircraft already present at the facility, officials were assessing conditions before allowing incoming flights to resume.
Images from a monitoring webcam operated by Italy’s National Institute for Geophysics and Vulcanology showed a large plume of smoke rising from the volcano’s summit. The institute continues to track Etna’s activity and provide updates on volcanic conditions.
Located on the eastern coast of Sicily, Mount Etna is Europe’s tallest active volcano, standing at about 3,324 meters, or nearly 11,000 feet, above sea level. The volcano has experienced frequent eruptions throughout its history, which stretches back around 500,000 years. The latest eruption created disruptions for travelers visiting Sicily, one of Italy’s most popular tourist regions.
Authorities have not reported any major injuries or damage linked to the eruption. However, volcanic ash can create risks for aircraft engines and reduce visibility, requiring airports to take precautionary measures.
