Europe’s Highest Volcano Mount Etna, in southern
Italy, erupted with burst into life, spewed ash, fire, and
spitting molten lava high into the sky.
This is 2019’s first eruption as the volcano on
the island of Sicily previously erupted in December 2018.
The lava came from two eruptive fissures on
northeastern and south-southeastern sides of Mount Etna’s New Southeast
Crater.
The eruption did not affect the nearby
residential areas or for flights at the closest airport at Catania.
About
Mount Etna
With an elevation of 3,326 m (10,912
ft), it is the highest
peak in Italy (south of the Alps) and is the highest active volcano in Europe outside
the Caucasus.
It is also the largest of the three active
volcanoes in Italy, other being Mount Vesuvius, near Naples and Mount
Stromboli, one of the Aeolian Islands.
It is an active
stratovolcano and is located on the east coast of Sicily,
Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania.
The United Nations has designated Mt. Etna as a Decade Volcano due
to its history of recent activity and nearby population.
In June 2013, it was added to the list of The
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World
Heritage Sites.
