Italy's Mount Etna volcano erupts, triggering aviation alert as tourists flee for their lives — 10 key points
Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, erupted early Monday morning, causing widespread panic as ash clouds filled the sky. Strombolian explosions intensified, sending ash falling on tourist areas. While monitored, the eruption remains unpredictable, prompting aviation alerts and highlighting the ongoing hazard.
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1. Sudden Early Morning Eruption
2. Individuals Witnessed Evacuating the Region
3. Ash Cloud Towers Above Sicily
4. Strombolian Explosions Increase
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5. Ash Falls on Popular Tourist Spots
6. Thermal Images Show Hazardous Flows
7. High Volcanic Tremors Detected
8. Did Not Cross Valley of the Lion Monitored
9. Aviation Alert Issued
10. Volcano Remains Unpredictable
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Mount Etna, Europe's highest and most active volcano, located in Sicily, erupted early Monday morning, with people running for their lives because of dense volcanic ash clouds , as per a report. Here are the important details, as per Yahoo News:The eruption started early in the morning on Monday, with Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) notifying about the volcanic activity in a statement issued at 4.14 am local time that has "carried on with Strombolian explosions of growing intensity that, at the moment, are of strong intensity and nearly continuous," according to Yahoo News.Video posted on various social media platforms showed scenes of people fleeing to safety after Europe's highest active volcano started erupting, as per the report.A huge cloud of volcanic ash rose into the atmosphere, INGV said, "Over the past few hours, the falling of a little thin ash has been flagged in the," as per Yahoo News. According to INGV's forecast model, the expected erupting ash cloud is to scatter in a south-west direction, reported Yahoo News.The eruption was accompanied by repeated and more vigorous Strombolian explosions — volcanic activity that involves repeated bursts of lava, ash, and gas, as per the report.Light ash falls were reported over the northern Piano Vetore region, an area frequently visited by tourists trekking or sightseeing close to the sides of Etna, according to Yahoo News.Thermal images released by the INGV displayed "hot pyroclastic material" — hot flows of rock, ash, and gas — descending the volcano's slopes, reported Yahoo News.INGV had warned that the "values of the magnitude of the tremor are currently elevated with a tendency to increase further," reported Yahoo News.As per a statement isuued at 11.55am local time, the INGV mentioned that the volcanic flow did "not appear to have crossed the edge" of the Valley of the Lion, surrounding the volcano, reported Yahoo News.Because of the expanding ash cloud, aviation authorities were put on notice, with possible disruption of air travel in the area anticipated.While the authorities keep the situation under strict observation, the high tremor levels and ongoing explosions indicate that Etna's eruption remains hazardous and unstable.Mount Etna erupted early Monday morning, shooting ash into the sky and triggering panic among people nearby.Yes, videos showed tourists and locals running for their lives as the volcano erupted.
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Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Mount Etna erupts mid-tourist season! Are flights safe for Italy? Can you claim compensation for cancelled flights?
On June 2, 2025, Italy's iconic Mount Etna erupted violently, sending a towering plume of volcanic ash into the sky and prompting immediate emergency measures across eastern Sicily. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The sudden eruption not only startled tourists but also caused widespread panic and significant disruption to the region's thriving tourism industry. Popular among adventurers, geologists, and vacationers, the region around Mount Etna was hit hardest as volcanic ash blanketed roads, trails, and towns. Though no casualties have been reported, the eruption has raised concerns about travel safety, emergency preparedness, and environmental impact. With seismic tremors still active and the possibility of further eruptions, Italian authorities are urging both residents and tourists to remain cautious. Here's a detailed breakdown of the eruption, the current situation, and its implications for travelers and locals alike. Mount Etna erupts in hours! Ash showers blanket villages According to the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the eruption began on the evening of June 2, with tremors first recorded around 10 PM local time. Within three hours, Strombolian activity—characterized by periodic explosive bursts of lava—had intensified dramatically. By 1 AM, ash plumes had reached altitudes of 6,400 meters (21,000 feet), visible from miles away. Videos shared on social media showed tourists fleeing from lava trails and ash showers as sirens blared in nearby villages. Streets, parked cars, and restaurant patios were quickly covered in a thick layer of ash. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Emergency services were activated immediately to aid evacuations and close off high-risk areas. Tourist hotspots closed, flights delayed amid Mount Etna eruption The eruption has led to temporary closure of trekking trails, guided tours, and observation platforms around Mount Etna. Popular towns such as Zafferana Etnea, Nicolosi, and Linguaglossa, which serve as gateways to Etna excursions, are experiencing a sharp decline in tourist activity due to ash accumulation and ongoing safety concerns. Hotels in the region have begun receiving cancellations, and tourism boards are working closely with civil protection agencies to redirect visitors to safer parts of Sicily. Despite the eruption, Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (Vincenzo Bellini Airport) remains operational. Outbound flights are largely unaffected, but inbound flights from major cities such as Rome, Milan, and Berlin have faced minor delays and rerouting to avoid the ash cloud. The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) initially issued a Code Red aviation warning, which is used for large ash events that could severely impact air traffic. This has since been downgraded to Code Orange, though pilots are still being advised to exercise extreme caution. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines or the airport's official channels before heading out, as the situation can change rapidly depending on wind patterns and volcanic activity. Mount Etna sparks mass evacuations, no casualties reported so far As of the latest reports, there have been no injuries or fatalities. Authorities emphasize that while the eruption is visually dramatic, it currently poses no direct threat to most residential areas. However, tourists in close proximity to the volcano have been evacuated as a precaution. Civil protection services are actively monitoring the volcano using drones, satellites, and ground instruments to detect changes in seismic patterns. Local residents have been advised to stay indoors, especially in areas where ashfall is heaviest, and to wear masks if they must go outside. What is Mount Etna Mount Etna, located on the east coast of Sicily near Catania, is Europe's most active volcano and one of the most monitored in the world. Classified as a stratovolcano, Mount Etna has been erupting for hundreds of thousands of years. It currently stands at approximately 3,329 meters (10,922 feet), though its height fluctuates with each eruption due to accumulated lava and ash. Etna's volcanic activity is not new. It erupts several times a year, but this particular episode has been classified as one of the most intense in recent memory due to the sheer volume of ash and its sudden onset. Its frequent eruptions have earned it a UNESCO World Heritage Site status, and it remains a major attraction for tourists despite its volatility. Health and safety tips amid volcanic ash Health experts warn that exposure to volcanic ash, particularly PM10 and PM2.5 particles, can lead to respiratory issues, especially among: Children and the elderly Individuals with asthma or lung conditions Pregnant women Those with weakened immune systems Safety recommendations: Avoid strenuous outdoor activity in ash-affected areas Keep windows and doors closed to prevent ash from entering indoor spaces Wear high-quality masks (N95 or equivalent) when outdoors Use air purifiers indoors, if available Drive cautiously, as ash can reduce visibility and make roads slippery Flight delays from volcanoes? Here's what airlines will compensate for Flight disruptions due to volcanic eruptions are considered 'extraordinary circumstances' under most airline policies. This means: Refunds or alternate flights may be offered by airlines for canceled trips Compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 is not guaranteed, as natural disasters are typically excluded Travel insurance may cover additional expenses, depending on the policy and coverage for natural disasters Travelers are advised to contact their airlines directly and review their insurance policies for eligibility. What's next? Ongoing monitoring and risk assessment Volcanologists are keeping a close watch on Mount Etna as seismic activity remains high. There is potential for further eruptions in the coming days, depending on pressure build-up and magma movement. The INGV continues to release hourly bulletins and warnings based on satellite imagery and geophysical data. Local authorities are also planning to deploy additional emergency response units if evacuation zones need to be expanded.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Mount Etna: 5 facts about Europe's most active volcano
Mount Etna: 5 facts about Europe's most active volcano (Image: AP) Italy's Mount Etna lays claim to several titles. It is: The world's most active " stratovolcano " Europe's largest and most active volcano One of the best-monitored volcanoes in the world One of the world's longest documented volcanoes A UNESCO World Heritage Site Where is Mount Etna? Mount Etna rises 3,357 meters (11,014 feet) above Catania, a city on the east coast of Sicily, Italy. It covers an area of 1,250 square kilometers (482 square miles). What type of volcano is Mount Etna? Mount Etna is what geologists and volcanologists call a stratovolcano or composite volcano. Stratovolcanoes typically have steep inclines and many separate vents, formed over tens to hundreds of thousands of years. According to Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), Etna has more than 500,000 years of eruptive history, but it's only taken its current, conical shape in the past hundred thousand years. Stratovolcanoes can be highly explosive when they erupt. They spew a variety of magma types, including basalt, andesite, dacite, and rhyolite. When UNESCO inscribed Mount Etna as a World Heritage Site in 2013, it said it was "an iconic site" that continued "to influence volcanology, geophysics and other Earth science disciplines. The volcano also supports important terrestrial ecosystems including endemic flora and fauna, and its activity makes it a natural laboratory for the study of ecological and biological processes." How dangerous is Mount Etna? It is difficult to determine the exact level of danger posed by Mount Etna. When it began erupting in June 2025, INGV set its alert level for Etna as "basic." While the volcano has been spewing lava non-stop for thousands of years, volcanologists can pinpoint new eruptions at least once or twice a year. According to the INGV, Mount Etna is in a state of persistent activity, with "continuous outgassing [which] can evolve into low energy Strombolian activity." "Strombolian" describes a type of eruption, caused by expanding gas that ejects clots of glowing lava in a cycle of almost continuous, small eruptions. Etna is also prone to "terminal and sub-terminal eruptions" at craters at the top of the volcano or nearby, and "lateral and eccentric eruptions" at vents along the slopes of the volcano What threat does Mount Etna pose to people? Few people live within 5-10km (3.1-6.2 miles) of Mount Etna, but they do face a constant threat of debris and dust, even from the smallest eruptions. Lava flows have been known to reach as far as the eastern seaboard of Sicily and run off into the Ionian Sea. It is about 40km from Etna to Catania, which has a population of more than 300,000 people, mostly in its outskirts. Research by the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel, Germany, suggested the eastern flank of Mount Etna was "slowly sliding towards the sea." In 2021, researchers at the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences said the flank was sliding into the Ionian Sea at a rate of centimeters per year: "Such unstable flanks could fail catastrophically, triggering landslides that could generate tsunamis." This has happened in the past, about 8,000 years ago. And what of the flora and fauna at Mount Etna? Mount Etna and its surroundings are home to a variety of animals, including foxes, wild cats, porcupines, pine martens, rabbits, hares; and birds of prey like sparrowhawks, buzzards, kestrels, peregrine falcons and golden eagles. Farming has left a significant human footprint around Mount Etna, largely because volcanic soil is good for agriculture. As the British Geological Survey explains, "Volcanic deposits are rich with magnesium and potassium […] when the volcanic rock and ash weathers, the [magnesium and potassium] are released, producing extremely fertile soils." The volcano has also shaped its surrounding woodlands: vineyards, olive groves, orchards, hazelnut and pistachio groves flourish, and higher up, birch trees are exclusive to the area.
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- The Hindu
Mount Etna erupts: All about Europe's most active volcano
Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy erupted once again on Monday (June 2, 2025), putting up a spectacular display even as it sent a cloud of smoke and ash up several kilometres into the air. According to the authorities, the eruption does not pose any threat to people, although the alert level of the Catania Airport was raised. The ash cloud ended by afternoon. More about Mount Etna A UNESCO world heritage site, Mount Etna is one of Europe's, and the world's, most active volcanoes. At least 2,700 years of eruption activity have been documented for the volcano, which, according to UNESCO, is one of the world's longest documented records of historic volcanic activity. Sicily's Mount Etna erupts Mount Etna roughly stands at an impressive 3,300 metres, which is approximately four times the height of Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Unlike many other volcanoes that remain dormant for years before they erupt, Etna remains in an almost constant state of unrest. Mount Etna is a type of a stratovolcano, which is a conical style volcano. According to the British Geological Survey, stratovolcanoes are formed from viscous lava that does not flow easily and instead, deposits around the vent, adding to the slope structure. Around 60% of the earth's individual volcanoes are stratovolcanoes. Mount Etna usually erupts in either effusive or strombolian style. An effusive way of volcanic eruption is characterised by the outpour of lava onto the ground, while strombolian activity is more explosive. History of Mount Etna's eruptions According to Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), Mount Etna's eruptive activity started around 500,000 years ago. Etna has erupted dangerously on multiple occasions. According to the Italian government's Civil Protection Department, the largest eruption of Etna occurred in 1669. The volcanic eruption began on March 11, 1669, and lava flow reached the city of Catania on April 16. It reportedly destroyed a large part of the town before flowing into the sea. According to a research paper published in 2007, the earliest historical reference of Etna's eruption is from around 1400 B.C. In the recent past, notable eruptive activity at Mount Etna was seen on multiple occasions in 2024. In July and August 2024, the Catania airport was temporarily shut after Etna erupted. A report by the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network noted intense eruptive activity on Etna in 2001, when the main eruption lasted for around 24 days over July and August. In 1983, artificial methods like earthen barriers were used to divert the lava flow from Etna during an eruption.
