When did Mount Etna begin erupting? Are flights cancelled? Right here's the whole lot we all know

Footage shared on-line confirmed vacationers operating alongside a ledge of the volcano in Sicily, as an enormous ash cloud of ash grew behind them. Different footage confirmed individuals in a surrounding village on a predominant road whereas the volcano erupted within the background.

Etna is a well-liked vacationer attraction in Sicily, but it surely’s additionally a supply of hazard. Deriving from the Greek aithō, ‘I burn,’ Etna is among the most lively volcanoes on this planet. This yr the positioning has been notably lively, with 13 reported eruptions to this point, together with some the place lava fountains burst out.

Right here’s the whole lot we all know in regards to the eruption to this point.

Mount Etna is situated on the east coast of Sicily. It covers roughly 600 sq. miles (1,600 sq. km), and has a base circumference of round 93 miles (150 km).

The primary volcanic tremors started round 10pm on Sunday, reaching a peak three hours later.

In an announcement, Italy’s Nationwide Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) stated that the “values of the magnitude of the tremor” had a “tendency to extend additional”.

The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre Toulouse (VAAC) stated that an ash cloud, made predominantly of water and sulphur dioxide, was “drifting in direction of the south west”. The cloud was so giant that the close by city of Catania fell into close to darkness. VAAC issued a brief “code crimson” for aviation.

Mount Etna continued to be monitored. In a later assertion, INGV stated that the volcanic exercise had “carried on with Strombolian explosions of rising depth that, for the time being, are of sturdy depth and practically steady.”

“Over the previous few hours, the falling of a bit of skinny ash has been flagged within the Piano Vetore space,” the INGV stated.

The institute warned that the “values of the magnitude of the tremor are presently elevated with a bent to extend additional,” observing that the explosive exercise “has moved to a lava fountain”, in keeping with experiences.

Nevertheless, at 11.15am, they stated that the volcanic circulation did “not seem to have crossed the sting” of the encompassing Valley of the Lion.

The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Toulouse stated that the volcanic ash plume reached an altitude of round 6,400 metres.

The well-known volcano beforehand erupted in February, sending scorching lava spewing down the mountain. It brought about dozens of flights to Catania airport to be diverted, on account of ash clouds.

The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre initially issued a ‘code crimson’ alert, nonetheless, this has since been downgraded to amber.

Nonetheless, vacationers planning to journey to Sicily could really feel uncertain whether or not it’s nonetheless secure to go.

An amber alert implies that it’s nonetheless doable for flights to be disrupted.

There are 4 predominant worldwide airports in Sicily: Catania-Fontanarossa (CTA), Palermo-Falcone Borsellino (PMO), Trapani-Birgi (TPS), and Ragusa-Comiso (CIY).

At current, all 4 airports appear to be persevering with as standard, with minor disruption at Catania Airport, which is situated on the foot of Mount Etna. Departures have been taking off as scheduled, however arrivals from Berlin, Milan and Rome have been delayed this afternoon, in keeping with The Metro.

The UK’s Overseas, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace (FCDO) has not launched any new journey recommendation. Typically, the FCDO’s recommendation is that it’s best to observe the steering of native authorities within the occasion of a volcanic eruption.

“If you’re requested to evacuate, accomplish that as quickly as doable and take your key paperwork (for instance, passport) and needed provides (for instance, remedy) with you,” FCDO says.

“If you’re not advised to evacuate however are in an affected space, it’s best to shelter in place. Shut any home windows and switch off air con or HVAC techniques. Guarantee that you’ve sufficient fundamental provides (together with meals, needed remedy and bottled water) given energy could also be affected and water provides could also be contaminated. In the event you can not get fundamental provides to shelter in place, you could have to evacuate.

“In the event you go exterior, cowl your pores and skin and put on a masks or different face protecting, as volcanic ash may irritate your pores and skin and airways.”

Vacationers have been advised to avoid the volcano’s lava flows.