Catania, Italy (WJW) – Expedition tourists near Mount Etna were photographed running for safety after a massive ash plume erupted from the volcano on Monday.
A dramatic video shot by Aurelien Pouzin shows a group of thick, dark ashes on Sicily’s east coast scrambled away from the summit, blowing thick, dark ashes towards the sky.
Italian media outlet Corriere Della Sera reported that aviation authorities issued a red warning to air traffic after the eruption. The Italian National Geophysics and Valconology Institute at Ingvvulcani said on Monday that lava “fountains” also began to flow from the volcano’s southeastern crater, but did not violate features like the basin known as the Leo Valley.
Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, which monitors eruptions in the area, said activity had already been “decreased” as of Monday afternoon local time.
No injuries were reported, but authorities paid caution in the surrounding areas.
Located on the eastern coast of Sicily, Mount Etna is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world and frequently emits lava and ash. According to the Smithsonian Association, its current eruption period began in November 2022. Current eruption intensity is assessed at 2 Volcanic Eruption Index (VEI), with the National Park Service ranked at the “moderate” lower end.
