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CTV News
a day ago
- General
- CTV News
What made Mount Etna's latest eruption so rare
MILAN — Mount Etna, the volcano that towers over eastern Sicily, has again captivated the world with a spectacular show, spewing smoke and high into the sky. But the defining event of Monday's eruption was the more rare pyroclastic flow from the southwestern crater not visible from a distance. The volcano is Europe's most active, and the continent's largest. Etna attracts hikers and backpackers to its slopes while less adventurous tourists can take it in from a distance, most stunningly from the Ionian Sea. Etna's latest eruption caused neither injuries nor evacuations, but sent a group of tourists on its flanks running, as captured by video posted on social media with smoke towering in the background. Authorities emphasized there was no danger to the population, and the pyroclastic flow — a fast-moving mixture of rock fragments, gas and ash — was limited to about two kilometres (more than a mile) and didn't go beyond the Valle del Leone, or Lion Valley, which forms a natural containment area. Etna has been active recently, and this was the 14th episode since mid-March. The most recent pyroclastic flows with significant reach were recorded on Feb. 10, 2022, Oct. 23, 2021, Dec. 13, 2020 and Feb. 11, 2014, Marco Viccaro, president of Italy's national volcanology association, said Tuesday. What's happening now? After a 19-day lull, Etna began to erupt with lively explosive bursts of gas and ash followed by a mild lava flow on the eastern slope followed by a smaller flow to the south. At around 10 a.m. on Monday, Etna exploded with its first major, violent eruption of the year: lava fountains and a column of ash and gas rose several kilometres, or miles, in the air. The event climaxed around 11:23 a.m. when the pyroclastic flow, triggered when magma mixed with snow, travelled two kilometres (more than a mile) to the Valle del Leone within a minute. By late afternoon, scientists said the event had subsided. Imposing figure Etna towers around 3,350 metres (around 11,050 feet) above sea level and is 35 kilometres (22 miles) in diameter, although the volcanic activity has changed the mountain's height over time. Occasionally, the airport at Catania, eastern Sicily's largest city, has to close down for hours or days, when ash in the air makes flying in the area dangerous. An aviation warning was put in place during the latest event, but the airport wasn't closed. With Etna's lava flows largely contained to its uninhabited slopes, life goes in towns and villages elsewhere on the mountain. Among the benefits of the volcano: fertile farmland and tourism. Deadly past Inspiring ancient Greek legends, Etna has had scores of known eruptions in its history. An eruption in 396 B.C., has been credited with keeping the army of Carthage at bay. In 1669, in what has been considered the volcano's worst known eruption, lava buried a swath of Catania, about 23 kilometres (15 miles) away and devastated dozens of villages. An eruption in 1928 cut off a rail route circling the mountain's base. Colleen Barry, The Associated Press
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
What made Mount Etna's latest eruption so rare
Mount Etna, the volcano that towers over eastern Sicily, has again captivated the world with a spectacular show, spewing smoke and high into the sky. But the defining event of Monday's eruption was the more rare pyroclastic flow from the southwestern crater not visible from a distance. The volcano is Europe's most active, and the continent's largest. Etna attracts hikers and backpackers to its slopes while less adventurous tourists can take it in from a distance, most stunningly from the Ionian Sea. Etna's latest eruption caused neither injuries nor evacuations, but sent a group of tourists on its flanks running, as captured by video posted on social media with smoke towering in the background. Authorities emphasized there was no danger to the population, and the pyroclastic flow — a fast-moving mixture of rock fragments, gas and ash — was limited to about 2 kilometers (more than a mile) and didn't go beyond the Valle del Leone, or Lion Valley, which forms a natural containment area. Etna has been active recently, and this was the 14th episode since mid-March. The most recent pyroclastic flows with significant reach were recorded on Feb. 10, 2022, Oct. 23, 2021, Dec. 13, 2020 and Feb. 11, 2014, Marco Viccaro, president of Italy 's national volcanology association, said Tuesday. What's happening now? After a 19-day lull, Etna began to erupt with lively explosive bursts of gas and ash followed by a mild lava flow on the eastern slope followed by a smaller flow to the south. At around 10 a.m. on Monday, Etna exploded with its first major, violent eruption of the year: lava fountains and a column of ash and gas rose several kilometers, or miles, in the air. The event climaxed around 11:23 a.m. when the pyroclastic flow, triggered when magma mixed with snow, traveled 2 kilometers (more than a mile) to the Valle del Leone within a minute. By late afternoon, scientists said the event had subsided. Imposing figure Etna towers around 3,350 meters (around 11,050 feet) above sea level and is 35 kilometers (22 miles) in diameter, although the volcanic activity has changed the mountain's height over time. Occasionally, the airport at Catania, eastern Sicily's largest city, has to close down for hours or days, when ash in the air makes flying in the area dangerous. An aviation warning was put in place during the latest event, but the airport wasn't closed. With Etna's lava flows largely contained to its uninhabited slopes, life goes in towns and villages elsewhere on the mountain. Among the benefits of the volcano: fertile farmland and tourism. Deadly past Inspiring ancient Greek legends, Etna has had scores of known eruptions in its history. An eruption in 396 B.C., has been credited with keeping the army of Carthage at bay. In 1669, in what has been considered the volcano's worst known eruption, lava buried a swath of Catania, about 23 kilometers (15 miles) away and devastated dozens of villages. An eruption in 1928 cut off a rail route circling the mountain's base.
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3 days ago
- Business
This Italian Island Hotel Sits Inside a Stunning 1920s Post Office—and It's Surprisingly Affordable
As we made the very short drive across Ponte Umbertino, the bridge that connects the beautiful island of Ortigia to the rest of Sicily's Siracusa (Syracuse), one of the first sights to greet us was a grand building formerly known as the Palazzo Delle Poste . Now home to the Ortea Palace Hotel, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, the former post office near the water's edge welcomes its guests with a stunning, sun-filled courtyard within an atrium, complete with Medieval columns and Italian marble floors. Outside, fishing boats gently bob up and down on the calm Ionian Sea. Flanked by statues and traditional Sicilian art, guests can soak in their surroundings upon arrival by enjoying an aperitivo at Champagnetta, the hotel's lounge bar in the heart of the atrium, before heading out to explore the historic center by foot. The hotel is in a prime location to start and finish a beautiful walking route along the entire perimeter of the island. A jog along the two-mile scenic pathway that hugs the rugged coastline quickly became our morning routine. Given the island is only just over half a mile long, and even less wide, all of Ortigia's attractions are within easy walking distance of the hotel. We even left the island to walk to the Neapolis Archeological Park in Siracusa, which only took around 45 minutes. After a day exploring the charming, narrow streets of Ortigia and indulging in some of Sicily's finest culinary delights—from artisanal gelato to arguably the best pizza I've ever eaten—the Ortea Palace Hotel offers a luxurious retreat to relax and recharge. Here, my review of Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection. The grandiose lobby is the focal point of this hotel and home to the beautiful lounge bar, Champagnetta. The hotel has an unbeatable waterfront location within easy walking distance of all local attractions. The stunning spa effortlessly combines classic Italian architecture with modern amenities and treatments. With 75 rooms and suites, the Ortea Palace offers elegant yet comfortable accommodation with a wide variety of options depending on needs and budget. Given the hotel's enviable waterside location, many suites boast wonderful sea views, with internal-facing rooms above the atrium also an option. My wife and I stayed in a signature top-floor suite, which wowed us with a dual aspect view out to the Ionian Sea and a furnished wrap-around balcony, the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of Sicilian wine as the sun sank behind the distant hills of Siracusa. Floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms fully stocked with Diptyque bath and shower products added a luxurious touch alongside the robes and slippers we enjoyed at the end of a busy day. Guests can enjoy a mixology experience in the historical setting of Champagnetta. Predrag Vuckovic/Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection The courtyard feels like the epicenter of the Ortea Palace and has been designed for socializing and entertaining, so it's no surprise that two of the hotel's main food and beverage venues are located here, set at opposite ends of the atrium. Il Cortile, the hotel's Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Take a few steps across the marble floor and you will find yourself at the chic, art-deco lounge bar, Champagnetta. Pull up a plush stool and peruse the list of classic Italian cocktails to enjoy while you're entertained by the live musicians who perform regularly at the piano. The hotel's rooftop fine-dining restaurant, Incanto, serves elevated Mediterranean dishes with spectacular views over Ortigia from its terrace and is something of a hidden gem for a special occasion or private function. The indoor pool at the ITV Siracusa spa. Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection The hotel's spa has been designed to stay true to the building's classic Italian style while making no compromises when it comes to ensuring it meets all the modern expectations of a five-star hotel guest. The ornate swimming pool, complete with a small hydrotherapy area, is reminiscent of a traditional Roman bathhouse. Additional facilities available to guests include a Turkish bath, oversized glass sauna, 24-hour gym, multi-sensory showers, and the hotel's latest experience, La Nuvola (the Cloud), where a unique therapy uses sound, light, and motion to create the feeling of being suspended on a cloud. The hotel is designed with accessibility in mind, incorporating ramps and elevators as well as accessible bedrooms and bathrooms. The hotel concierge is available to organize accessible transportation, assisted check-in, and personalized support for guests. Energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and building systems are utilized to reduce energy consumption, and the hotel takes part in Marriott International's efforts to minimize water waste by implementing low-flow fixtures systems and food waste by composting. Given the small size of the island and the fact that many areas are inaccessible to cars, the best way to explore Ortigia is on foot. The hotel is steps from the city center, with many options for eating and drinking, shopping, and enjoying historical sites including churches, piazzas, fountains, and the Medieval fortress. Should you decide to drive to Ortigia, the Ortea Palace Hotel does offer valet private parking for €40 per night, including the option to charge electric vehicles for an additional fee. As an Autograph Collection hotel, part of Marriott's portfolio, you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points towards your stay at the Ortea Palace Hotel. Nightly rates at Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection start from €300 (about $340 USD). Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
