Mount Etna erupts as huge plumes of ash and smoke rise

Mount Etna erupts as huge plumes of ash and smoke rise

What Happened

Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted early on Monday morning, sending plumes of ash and smoke into the air above Sicily.

Footage from the area showed volcanic material spilling out, while Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported a series of explosions of “increasing intensity” throughout the early hours.

The eruption appears to have occurred on the southeastern side of the volcano, near a known 200-metre-wide vent, where movements in the ground were recorded prior to the outburst.

Video clips shared during the day captured a pyroclastic flow – a fast-moving surge of ash, gas and rock – rushing down the volcano’s slopes. Geologists believe this may have been caused by a partial collapse of the crater.

So far, no major disruptions or injuries have been reported. Flights in and out of nearby airports, including Catania, have largely continued as normal.

What Next

Despite the dramatic visuals, the eruption has not yet breached the Valley of the Lion – the common stopping point for tourist hikes up the volcano – and officials say there is no current threat to the public.

The INGV confirmed that the eruption is Strombolian in nature – a type known for intermittent explosions caused by gas escaping from within the magma chamber. Though often less destructive, these eruptions can still be dangerous, particularly for air travel.

A red alert was briefly issued for nearby airspace earlier in the day but has since been downgraded, reflecting the relatively low impact so far.

Etna’s last major eruption was in February, when ash clouds caused dozens of flights to be diverted from Catania Airport and access to the lava flows was restricted for safety.

For now, geologists continue to monitor the volcano closely. Given Etna’s history, experts remain cautious but not alarmed, and no evacuations have been ordered.