Latest news with #NationalInstituteofGeophysicsandVolcanology
USA Today
4 hours ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Mount Etna still smoldering day after eruption, drone video shows
Mount Etna still smoldering day after eruption, drone video shows Show Caption Hide Caption Drone: Mount Etna billows volcanic gas after eruption Drone footage of Mount Etna shows the volcano still billowing volcanic gas. Europe's largest and most active volcano sent people scurrying on Monday, June 2, when it erupted, throwing plumes of ash and smoke into the air. Mount Etna, an active stratovolcano located on the eastern coast of Sicily, Italy, is known for its frequent eruptions, which produce everything from huge explosions and lava flows to simple ash emissions, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Monday's activity was believed to be a "pyroclastic flow," according to a translated post shared by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). This means the eruption was a combination of ash, rock, and gas, "probably produced by the collapse of material from the northern side of the Southeast Crater." The local alerts for volcanic activity were downgraded to yellow as of Tuesday, a more typical rating for the area. No injuries were reported, no lava flow was spotted and operations at the nearby Catania airport remained normal after the eruption. See video of Mount Etna smoldering day after eruption Drone footage captured the day after shows the volcano continuing to smolder as gas escapes into the atmosphere. See photos of Mount Etna eruption Contributing: Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY
DW
6 hours ago
- General
- DW
Mount Etna: 5 facts about Europe's most active volcano – DW – 06/03/2025
On Italy's island of Sicily, Mount Etna has spewed lava almost continuously for thousands of years, threatening inhabitants, but also supporting flora and fauna. 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 the 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 (24.9 miles) 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. Edited by: Matthew Ward Agius
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Record
Mount Etna eruption sees flight warning issued to travellers
The tallest active volcano in Europe erupted on Monday leaving tourists terrified. Holidaymakers with plans to travel to Italy this week are being advised to check with their holiday provider following a volcanic eruption. Thousands of people are facing flight delays, cancellations after Mount Etna erupted in Sicily on Monday, June 2. Tourists were seen running for their lives after Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, started erupting at around 4am. Volcano reported that a volcanic tremor was felt before the eruption. The tremor began at around 10pm on Sunday evening before reaching a peak at 1am on Monday. The tremor was localised at an altitude of 2.8km beneath the crater area. Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology issued a statement at 11.03am local time (10.03am BST), on Monday saying: "Over the past few hours, the activity flagged in the previous statement issued at 4.14am (3.14am BST) has carried on with strombolian explosions of growing intensity that, at the moment, are of strong intensity and nearly continuous. Over the past few hours, the falling of a little thin ash has been flagged in the Piano Vetore area." Following the eruption, Sarah Rodrigues, a travel expert with Avanti travel insurance, has outlined practical steps travellers can take to protect themselves and recover any costs. She said: "Volcanic eruptions can have a huge impact on your holiday plans. If you're due to travel and find your trip will be affected by a natural disaster there are steps you can take to try to change your plans or to get a refund. 'The first thing you should do is contact the holiday provider you booked your trip with to see what support they can give you, as they may be able to provide an alternative, or to refund or reschedule your trip. 'If your holiday provider can't help you reschedule or refund your costs, you should contact your bank. You may be able to recoup your costs through a 'chargeback claim' if you paid using a credit card. 'If you've tried both options without any luck, then you may be able to claim through your holiday insurance . It's important to check your policy documents before cancelling a trip or if you decide not to travel, so check out the 'Travel Delay' section in your policy wording to find out if a natural disaster is covered." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Travellers who are already on holiday when a disaster occurs are advised to contact their insurance provider. Sarah added: "If you're already on holiday and your return journey to the UK is delayed or cancelled, speak with your holiday provider for alternative options. "In this instance, your travel insurance policy should automatically extend to cover the extra time you need to get home. "However, always check with your insurance provider to be on the safe side. 'You will also need to speak with your holiday provider if your accommodation is affected, as they may be able to find you an alternative place to stay or, if necessary, to bring you home early.
DW
11 hours ago
- General
- DW
Mount Etna: Five facts about Europe's most active volcano – DW – 06/03/2025
On Italy's island of Sicily, Mount Etna has spewed lava almost continuously for thousands of years, threatening inhabitants, but also supporting flora and fauna. 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 the 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 (24.9 miles) 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. Edited by: Matthew Ward Agius
Time Out
14 hours ago
- Climate
- Time Out
Is it safe to travel to Sicily? Latest advice following Mount Etna eruption
On Monday June 2, Sicily 's Mount Etna erupted, spewing plumes of ash and lava into the air and sending hikers running for their lives. The volcano, on the east coast of the Italian island of Sicily, is the most active in Europe. While ash emissions and eruptions are a common occurrence at Mount Etna, this is its most powerful blast in four years, according to experts. So, is it safe to travel right now? What should you do if you have a trip booked? Here's all the latest travel advice. What's the latest with the Mount Etna eruption? The eruption began at around 3.50am local time, according to Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, with volcanic activity intensifying throughout the morning. A huge cloud of smoke was seen billowing above the town of Catania, and video footage shows tourists fleeing the eruption down the mountain. The eruption lasted around 10 hours, ending at approximately 4.56pm local time on Monday June 2. Is it safe to travel to Sicily? Yes, at the time of writing, it is safe to travel to Sicily. No injuries or casualties have been reported, and as of Tuesday June 3, the eruption has ended. Are flights to Sicily affected by the Mount Etna eruption? A red aviation warning was initially issued by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre Toulouse, but has since been downgraded to orange. A handful of flights were delayed or diverted from nearby Catania Airport on Monday, but flights are currently travelling to and from Sicily as normal. When was the last time Mount Etna erupted? As Europe's most active volcano, strombolian activity, ash emissions and eruptions are a regular occurrence at Mount Etna. The last large eruption was in August 2024, when a volcanic ash cloud caused Catania Airport to close.
