The active volcano, Europe’s highest, has seen significantly increased activity over the past week. Stromboli, on the nearby Aeolian island, could also erupt
The Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia in Catania has reported that ash emanating from Mount Etna has reached a staggering 4.35 kilome
As a result, much of the airspace near the volcano was forced to close to passenger aircraft. That means that the number of arrivals at Catania airport is much lower than usual – at just five per hour.
The airport has said
So far, at least 90 outbound and inbound flights have been cancelled at Catania airport, disrupting around 15,000 passengers.
Ryanair alone have been forced to cancel 42 flights – the highest of any airline.
Easyjet have been affected too: “We’re sorry that your flight has been cancelled,” they told passengers, “This is because volcanic activity in CTA [Catania] is causing restrictions to the areas in which aircraft are permitted to fly.”
A large chunk of travellers have found themselves on diverted flights, with many arriving at Palermo, the airport which serves Sicily’s capital and a 4-hour drive from Catania.
The eruption of Mount Etna is visible from the town of Riposto on the eastern side the volcano, pictured here
The eruption of Mount Etna is visible from the town of Riposto on the eastern side the volcano, pictured hereColleen Kane
Is Mount Etna likely to continue erupting?
Italy’s Civil Protection Department has warned that this is not a one-off event.
“Italy, together with Iceland, has the greatest concentration of active volcanoes in Europe and is one of the first in the world for the number of inhabitants exposed to volcanic risk,” they said in a statement, “Active or potentially active volcanoes are situated in southern Italy with varying degrees of hazard.”
The department also advised locals and tourists alike to “follow the civil protection authorities’ instructions transmitted by radio, TV, in the daily press, on the internet and by the various toll-free numbers that will be set up.”
They also instructed people, during eruptions, to not enter forbidden areas as “it is dangerous to approach the crater area even if there is no eruptive activity as sudden explosive phenomena or gas emissions are always possible.”
Catania’s Mayor, Enrico Trantino, also issued an order banning local people from using two-wheeled forms of transport for 48 hours. He also set a speed limit of 30 km/h because o
Late on Thursday, Italy’s Civil Protection Department issued a red alert for a possible eruption of the nearby Stromboli volcano, raising the potential threat level from moderate to severe.
Stromboli is on one of the Aeolian islands, located off the north-east of Sicily, and popular tourist destinations especially in the summer.
The ruling came after the department and local leaders assessed “rapid developments” concerning Strombo
There have been reports of lava spilling into the sea and generating a two-kilometre high plume of smoke.
In a press release, Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported “effusive activity” from a vent 700 metres above sea level.
The INGV added that “the seismic signal has remained at a very high level” and author
