Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, erupted with a rare pyroclastic flow on Monday, sending tourists fleeing and causing concern among locals. The volcano’s southwestern crater produced the fast-moving mixture of rock fragments, gas, and ash, which traveled 2 kilometers through the Valle del Leone in under a minute.
Despite its intense activity, the eruption caused no injuries or evacuations. Authorities confirmed that there was no danger to the population, and the pyroclastic flow was limited to a specific area. Etna’s recent eruptions have been more frequent, with 14 episodes since mid-March.
The volcano’s latest outburst began with lively explosive bursts of gas and ash, followed by mild lava flows on the eastern slope and smaller flows to the south. The eruption reached its climax at around 11:23 a.m., when the pyroclastic flow occurred.
Standing at 3,350 meters tall, Etna is not only Europe’s most active volcano but also its largest. Its eruptions have shaped the surrounding landscape and have had significant impacts on local communities. While the eruption posed some risks to air travel, Catania Airport remained open, and there were no reported injuries.
Etna has a long history of intense volcanic activity, with scores of known eruptions dating back to ancient times. The volcano’s most destructive eruption occurred in 1669, when lava buried a significant area near the city of Catania.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/mount-etna-eruption-italy-sicily-1adafac765158138817a2c4319ce1468