Etna volcano erupts in Sicily with 100 meters high lava fountains

On the island of Sicily, there was a spectacular eruption of Mount Etna, which became more active in July 2020. The volcano spewed gigantic lava fountains according to a Euronews news agency report.

The eruption of lava from the crater of the volcano could be observed from Catania. A dense plume of ash rose to a height of about 5 km.

“The authorities informed local residents in advance that this eruption is not dangerous for nearby cities. On Monday, the local airport was working as usual.”

Note that Etna is one of the highest (3329 meters) active volcanoes in Europe. Etna has 200 to 400 side craters. Several times a year, lava and ash erupt from several craters. The last major volcanic eruption was in 1992.

Etna erupts in Sicily with 100 meters high lava fountains

The southeast crater began erupting at 9:20 am on Monday. Lava fountains from the volcano reach heights of over 100 m.

The eruption has been classified as strombolian activity, when a volcano erupts, causing a flow of lava fragments.

An update from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Italy says there has been “a significant decrease in explosive activity in the southeastern crater.”