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Mount Etna Eruption

February 9, 2012 by · Comments Off on Mount Etna Eruption 

Mount Etna Eruption, A huge column of hot ash can be seen billowing over the southern Italian island of Sicily after Europe’s biggest volcano erupted last night

Fired up: Mount Etna spews lava on the southern Italian island of Sicily Reuters
Burning hot lava spews down the side of Mount Etna in these dramatic pictures captured earlier today.

A huge column of hot ash can be seen billowing over the southern Italian island of Sicily after Europe’s biggest volcano erupted last night.

The ANSA news agency reported that flames were sent hundreds of metres into the air and could be seen from the nearby towns of Catania and Taormina.

Airport officials closed Catania’s airport on Wednesday evening.

The red hot lava eruptions can last for days at a time Reuters

Ashen sky: The huge cloud of volcanic ash can be seen from miles around Reuters

Fertile ground: The rich volcanic soil on the mountain is home to farms and vineyards Reuters

Plume of smoke: A huge column of volcanic ash filled the skies above Sicily, closing Catania airport Reuters

What a sight: Flames were sent hundreds of metres into the air Reuters

Fiery neighbour: The eruption can be seen from local towns Catania and Taormina Reuters

Awake again: Mount Etna last erupted in January Reuters

Eruptions can sometimes last for days at a time and can force the closure of the airport.

The highest active volcano on the continent erupted last month, prompting a crisis meeting at Catania.

It was feared flights would be disrupted as the 5,000m high column of ash filled the skies above the Mediterranean isle.

At the time, the Catania Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology said that lava was seen flowing from a new crater on the southeast side of the summit.

The famous volcano, which stands at 3,295m high, erupted several times over the course of last year but most were short-lived.

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