Europe’s most active volcano, Mount Etna, erupted again this week, sending thick clouds of ash and smoke into the atmosphere in Sicily. Authorities have assured the public that there is no immediate threat to those living in the area, and flight operations at Catania Airport are not being disrupted.
The latest eruption resulted from the partial collapse of one of the craters of the volcano, generating new lava flows. It is Mount Etna’s 14th eruptive phase in recent months, reports Al Jazeera.
As a precaution, access to the summit has been temporarily shut. Experts ensured that the lava remained within the natural rim of the volcano and was not imminently dangerous to surrounding villages.
There was also shaking in the region, which increased alarm, though specialists say such seismic activity is to be anticipated during eruptions of this type. Video footage of the eruption also quickly went viral on social media, with stunning photographs of flowing lava and volcanic ash illuminating the night sky.