Satellite images capture Mount Etna's eruption from space
Hiyah Zaidi Published June 4, 2025 2:55pm Link is copied Comments Tourists were seen running for their lives after Mount Etna erupted on Monday. The Sicilian volcano is Europe's largest and most active stratovolcano, and has recently spewed a giant plume of gas that stretched four miles into the sky. But, just as the volcano erupted, the Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite was passing by and managed to capture the whole thing in dramatic images (Picture: EU/Copernicus Sentinel-2 / SWNS) On June 2, at around 12pm local time, the volcano erupted following volcanic tremors which began around midnight. The eruption sent a pyroclastic flow - which is a mix of hot rock, ash and gas - down the side of the mountain. The cloud it produced, which was mainly made up of water and sulphur dioxide, headed south west and was so big it plunged the nearby town of Catania into darkness (Picture: European Space Agency) One concern of the eruption was the disruption of air traffic. Dr Stuart Black, geological expert at the University of Reading, said: 'Commercial aircraft typically fly at similar altitudes as where the volcanic material is reaching, so persistent activity could force flight rerouting in the region.' However, the eruption has led to no reported injuries or damage, and barely disrupted flights on or off the island (Picture: European Space Agency) The eruption began with an increase of pressure in the hot gases inside the volcano, according to The Conversation. This led to the partial collapse of part of one of the craters atop Etna on the south eastern edge of the volcano, which led to the pyroclastic flow. However, the lava flowed in three directions, and began to cool down. Pyroclastic flows can be extremely dangerous and can travel at an average of 60 miles per hour, reaching temperatures up to 1,000°C (Picture: European Space Agency) However, the flows did not make it beyond the Valle del Leone (or Lion Valley) which forms a natural containment area. But the volcano has been active recently, with the latest eruption marking the 14th episode since mid-March. The most recent pyroclastic flows with significant reach were recorded on February 10, 2022, October 23, 2021, December 13, 2020 and February 11, 2014, Marco Viccaro, president of Italy's national volcanology association, said on Tuesday (Picture: European Space Agency) Mount Etna reaches around 3,350 meters (11,050 feet) above sea level and is 35 kilometers (22 miles) in diameter. It is the highest Mediterranean island mountain and the most active stratovolcano in the world. It has documented eruptions dating back to 1500 BCE. The largest recorded historical eruption of the volcano occurred in 1669, when a number of big eruptions took place for around four months. It's thought that around fourteen villages and towns were destroyed by the lava flows or by earthquakes, and around 20,000 people were killed by the eruptions (Picture: AP) At the moment, researchers cannot give accurate details on when a volcano is about to blow. However, there are some warning signs, such as earthquakes when the magma pushes its way up to the surface. The magma also makes the ground near a volcano bulge upwards very slightly, by a few millimetres or centimetres, which can be monitored using satellites. However, new research suggests that trees may act as a good early warning detection system, as the magma beneath the surface releases a lot of carbon dioxide, which makes the trees more green – and this can be monitored through satellites (Picture: Getty)
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Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Europe's ‘nowhere place' is a quiet Italian gem with flights from £17
The town sits on the tip of the Adriatic (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Aperitifs at sundown, quaint streets, and Italian sunshine. No, we're not talking about Florence or Tuscany. Hop across the Adriatic from Venice and you'll find Trieste, a unique border town that you've probably never heard of — but one you're going to want to add to your city break list. While Trieste was once forgotten, hidden away in northern Italy and even described as a 'nowhere place', times have changed. Almost entirely surrounded by Slovenia, Trieste is a melting pot of cultures. The local dialect, according to Lonely Planet is a 'strange melange of Italian, Austrian-German, Croatian and Greek.' Ever since Slovenia's star began to rise, tourism in Trieste has also picked up. There's a thriving food and arts scene, and trendy hotel chain, 25hours, is set to open in the city this year. Sign up to The Getaway newsletter Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. As our favourite review on TripAdvisor says, it's a 'beautiful place both during the day and at night, but it never feels crowded or overrun'. Recently, the FT heaped praise on the city, describing it as 'the comeback kid'. So, if you want to get ahead of the curve, here's everything you need to know about Italy's next big holiday spot. Trieste is influenced by its culturally rich neighbours (Picture: Metro) How to get to Trieste Easily accessible from the UK, Trieste has an airport about 40 minutes outside the city centre. Direct flights run from London Stansted, with one-way Ryanair fares starting from £17 in July (that's based on taking the 7:35am flight on Tuesday, July 8). Best of all, the journey time is two hours. The only downside is that at the moment, direct routes are only operated out of Stansted. You can also fly from Gatwick, but that generally involves stopping in Rome or Krakow. What's the weather like in Trieste? As you'd expect from an Italian city, Trieste has a Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and colder winters. The best time to visit is during the summer, from June to September. The mercury reaches highs of 30°C in July. Trieste deserves some attention (Picture: Getty Images/Westend61) It's worth keeping in mind that the area often feels the effects of the Bora, a wind that blows from the mountains into the Gulf of Trieste, which on occasion, can get pretty gusty. It's said that locals like the wind because of the intense emotion it sparks; when it's a calm day, they long for it to return. Italians, eh. Where to stay in Trieste Travelling in the shoulder season, in May or October, is a good idea if you want to nab a bargain hotel stay and run into fewer tourists. prices for a 3* hotel, rated 'very good' or above, from £73 per night in September. Things to do in Trieste Any trip to Trieste should start with a wander through the historic centre, which has interesting shops and quaint cafes. This area is also home to the city's top cultural attractions, including the cathedral and the waterfront Piazza Unità d'Italia, which is said to be modelled on Venice's St Mark's. In a way, it might be even more beautiful, and is the largest square overlooking the sea in Europe. Stazione Rogers is an abandoned petrol station that swapped unleaded for aperitifs, and is now a thriving cultural centre. As well as being the perfect place for sundowners overlooking the water (with DJs and live music until 2am) there's also a space for art exhibitions and gigs. The Piazza Unità d'Italia at dusk (Picture: Getty Images) Trieste is proud of its literary heritage; he legendary Irish author James Joyce lived here while writing Ulysses, and you'll spot the plaques signaling his various homes (he was often evicted for refusing to pay rent) across the city. There's a Joyce museum, and the Literature Trieste Museum is also set to open this year. Or, head to a book shop and while away a few hours reading with a coffee. San Marco is a popular spot. For views that stretch across the sea, visit the Faro della Vittoria, a lighthouse which is open to the public (for free). Every October, the Barcolana regatta sees the waters fill up with sailing boats. Tourists should also take a trip to the must-visit fairytale castle, Miramare Castle, which sits atop a rocky cliff. From panoramic views to subterranean marvels, the Grotta Gigante is a vast underground cave about 20 minutes outside of Trieste. 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Many are free, and entry to the Miramare Castle, for example, is €12 (£10.30). This article was first published on 22 April 2024 and has been updated. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ Arrow MORE: Major US fast food chain to open in London Heathrow airport – a European first Arrow MORE: TUI relaunches UK flights to forgotten year-round sunshine destination after 3 years Arrow MORE: I tried to do Cannes on £30 a day – a champagne town on a Fanta budget
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Lebanon aims to lure back wealthy Gulf tourists to jumpstart its war-torn economy
Fireworks lit up the night sky over Beirut's famous St. Georges Hotel as hit songs from the 1960s and 70s filled the air in a courtyard overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The retro-themed event was hosted last month by Lebanon's Tourism Ministry to promote the upcoming summer season and perhaps recapture some of the good vibes from an era viewed as a golden one for the country. In the years before a civil war began in 1975, Lebanon was the go-to destination for wealthy tourists from neighboring Gulf countries seeking beaches in summer, snow-capped mountains in winter and urban nightlife year-round. In the decade after the war, tourists from Gulf countries – and crucially, Saudi Arabia – came back, and so did Lebanon's economy. But by the early 2000s, as the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah gained power, Lebanon's relations with Gulf countries began to sour. Tourism gradually dried up, starving its economy of billions of dollars in annual spending. Now, after last year's bruising war with Israel, Hezbollah is much weaker and Lebanon's new political leaders sense an opportunity to revitalize the economy once again with help from wealthy neighbors. They aim to disarm Hezbollah and rekindle ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, which in recent years have prohibited their citizens from visiting Lebanon or importing its products. 'Tourism is a big catalyst, and so it's very important that the bans get lifted,' said Laura Khazen Lahoud, the country's tourism minister. On the highway leading to the Beirut airport, once-ubiquitous banners touting Hezbollah's leadership have been replaced with commercial billboards and posters that read 'a new era for Lebanon.' In the center of Beirut, and especially in neighborhoods that hope to attract tourists, political posters are coming down, and police and army patrols are on the rise. There are signs of thawing relations with some Gulf neighbors. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have lifted yearslong travel bans. All eyes are now on Saudi Arabia, a regional political and economic powerhouse, to see if it will follow suit, according to Lahoud and other Lebanese officials. A key sticking point is security, these officials say. Although a ceasefire with Israel has been in place since November, near-daily airstrikes have continued in southern and eastern Lebanon, where Hezbollah over the years had built its political base and powerful military arsenal. Tourism as a diplomatic and economic bridge As vital as tourism is — it accounted for almost 20% of Lebanon's economy before it tanked in 2019 — the country's leaders say it is just one piece of a larger puzzle they are trying to put back together. Lebanon's agricultural and industrial sectors are in shambles, suffering a major blow in 2021, when Saudi Arabia banned their exports after accusing Hezbollah of smuggling drugs into Riyadh. Years of economic dysfunction have left the country's once-thriving middle class in a state of desperation. The World Bank says poverty nearly tripled in Lebanon over the past decade, affecting close to half its population of nearly 6 million. To make matters worse, inflation is soaring, with the Lebanese pound losing 90% of its value, and many families lost their savings when banks collapsed. Tourism is seen by Lebanon's leaders as the best way to kickstart the reconciliation needed with Gulf countries -- and only then can they move on to exports and other economic growth opportunities. 'It's the thing that makes most sense, because that's all Lebanon can sell now,' said Sami Zoughaib, research manager at The Policy Initiative, a Beirut-based think tank. With summer still weeks away, flights to Lebanon are already packed with expats and locals from countries that overturned their travel bans, and hotels say bookings have been brisk. At the event hosted last month by the tourism ministry, the owner of the St. Georges Hotel, Fady El-Khoury, beamed. The hotel, owned by his father in its heyday, has acutely felt Lebanon's ups and downs over the decades, closing and reopening multiple times because of wars. 'I have a feeling that the country is coming back after 50 years,' he said. On a recent weekend, as people crammed the beaches of the northern city of Batroun, and jet skis whizzed along the Mediterranean, local business people sounded optimistic that the country was on the right path. 'We are happy, and everyone here is happy,' said Jad Nasr, co-owner of a private beach club. 'After years of being boycotted by the Arabs and our brothers in the Gulf, we expect this year for us to always be full.' Still, tourism is not a panacea for Lebanon's economy, which for decades has suffered from rampant corruption and waste. Lebanon has been in talks with the International Monetary Fund for years over a recovery plan that would include billions in loans and require the country to combat corruption, restructure its banks, and bring improvements to a range of public services, including electricity and water. Without those and other reforms, Lebanon's wealthy neighbors will lack confidence to invest there, experts said. A tourism boom alone would serve as a 'morphine shot that would only temporarily ease the pain" rather than stop the deepening poverty in Lebanon, Zoughaib said. The tourism minister, Lahoud, agreed, saying a long-term process has only just begun. "But we're talking about subjects we never talked about before,' she said. 'And I think the whole country has realized that war doesn't serve anyone, and that we really need our economy to be back and flourish again.'
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
British expats seeking relaxing life urged to move to charming EU town
The experts at International Living have included one town on France's Cote d'Azur on their list of the top eight best European towns for "adventurous expats". If you are considering a move to the EU to either save money or escape the city crowds, this little-known spot in France might be your best bet. International Living has published its Hidden Places Initiative report which reveals eight of Europe's best towns for adventurous expats, including one on the French Riviera. 'Everybody talks about places like Barcelona, Lisbon and Florence. But the best overseas destinations aren't always the ones you've heard of,' says Jennifer Stevens, executive editor at International Living. Enter Villefranche-sur-Mer. Villefranche-sur-Mer is a stunning town located between Nice and Monaco on France's Cote d'Azur. The town offers expats a quieter perspective on the glitzy French Riviera and International Living calls it 'a mash-up of wildly elegant, flower-flowing villas and earthy, burnt-pastel homes stacked haphazardly along the Mediterranean'. That said, Villefranche-sur-Mer still maintains the iconic Riviera glamour of its neighbours like Nice. In fact, part of the James Bond classic Never Say Never Gain was filmed nearby. The hilly landscape allows for heightened views of the bay below, while stairs take residents up to the steeper parts of the town, including its historic centre. Describing Villefranche, International Living says: 'It's as if Positano and Florence, Italy, did an 1800s collaboration with a palette of muted orange, yellow, and deep turquoise.' Two of the biggest draws of the town are its horseshoe-shaped bay and its impressive architecture - including a smattering of pastel-coloured French villas and cafes and medieval alleyways. But those picture-perfect villas and apartment buildings don't come cheap. According to International Living: 'A couple can expect to spend at least £2,233 a month, with rent starting around £2,527'. Thus, Villefranche is not for every budget, but it is ideal for expats with a love of French art and culture. As confirmed by International Living 'music is a big deal in town, as is art'. Villefranche residents enjoy open-air cinemas throughout the summer and impressive art shows at the town's Citadel. Other favourite events including classic car races, the Naval Flower Battle, jazz concerts, and open-air plays performed in the historic centre. If you want to improve your French while living in town, you can also take lessons at the Institut de Français. The school offers courses ranging from two weeks to one month and also organises excursions and homestays. Given the higher cost of living compared to other European destinations, Villefranche-sur-Mer is best-suited for digital nomads and retirees craving serenity, cultural enrichment and a touch of glam. Full list of International Living's Hidden Places destinations Villefranche-sur-Mer, France Toulon, France Litochoro, Greece Kavala, Greece Ioannina, Greece Esposende, Portugal Rayong, Thailand Guimarães, Portugal San Pancho, Mexico Cádiz, Spain Palermo, Italy Amed, Bali Ascoli Piceno, Italy Isla Holbox, Mexico
