What Set Mount Etna’s Recent Eruption Apart

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    MILAN — The majestic Mount Etna once again drew global attention with its dramatic pyrotechnics as it erupted, launching plumes of smoke high into the Sicilian sky. The focal point of Monday’s eruption was a rather rare pyroclastic flow from the volcano’s southwestern crater, a spectacle not easily observed from afar.

    As Europe’s most active volcano and its largest, Mount Etna beckons to hikers and adventurers eager to explore its slopes. Meanwhile, the less daring can admire its grandeur from a safe distance, with the Ionian Sea offering some of the most breathtaking views. Despite the stunning eruption, there were no reports of injuries or evacuations. However, tourists in the vicinity did have a scare, as seen in videos on social media that captured their dash away from the ash-laden skies.

    Authorities reassured the public of their safety, highlighting that the pyroclastic flow consisted of a swift-moving blend of rock fragments, gas, and ash, which remained confined within a 2-kilometer radius. The flow was contained to the Valle del Leone, or Lion Valley, a natural basin acting as a barrier.

    Mount Etna has been quite active of late, with this eruption marking the 14th event since mid-March. Noteworthy pyroclastic activities in the past included occurrences on February 10, 2022, October 23, 2021, December 13, 2020, and February 11, 2014, according to Marco Viccaro, head of Italy’s national volcanology association.

    Following a 19-day respite, Etna roared back to life with vibrant eruptions of gas and ash, followed by a gentle lava flow spilling down the eastern slope and trailing down south. Around 10 a.m. on Monday, Etna launched into its first significant eruption of the year, spewing lava fountains and columns of ash and gas reaching several kilometers into the sky. The climactic moment occurred at 11:23 a.m., when the pyroclastic flow, possibly triggered by magma interaction with snow, traveled quickly over 2 kilometers into Valle del Leone. By evening, scientists noted the eruption had diminished.

    Etna majestically rises to approximately 3,350 meters (about 11,050 feet) and spans 35 kilometers (22 miles) in diameter, though its height fluctuates due to volcanic activity. The airport at Catania, eastern Sicily’s largest urban center, occasionally closes due to ash, though it wasn’t closed during this latest episode. Life for those living in communities near the mountain carries on uninterrupted, taking advantage of Etna’s fertile soils and tourism benefits.

    Throughout history, Mount Etna has inspired many stories and legends. It has experienced numerous eruptions, including one in 396 B.C., noted for halting the Carthaginian army. The infamous eruption of 1669 overwhelmed part of Catania, located about 23 kilometers away, and ruined numerous villages. In 1928, another eruption severed a rail line encircling the volcano’s base. Despite its fearsome nature, Etna remains a symbol of natural beauty and geological wonder.