Khaberni - Mount Etna, located on the east coast of the island of Sicily, entered a new eruptive phase on December 26, where it ejected molten lava and massive volcanic ash clouds into the sky of the region.
The Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology confirmed the escalating volcanic activity, noting that the volcanic lava fountains rose more than 1000 feet into the air.
The volcano ejected rocky debris that stretched several kilometers above its summit, which is over 10000 feet high, according to what was reported by "The Sun" newspaper.
The winds pushed the massive ash clouds northeast, where the ash reached the Piano Provenzana ski resort located on the side of the same volcano.
For its part, the Italian authorities issued a yellow warning, raising concerns about the nearby Fontanarossa Airport at the explosion site.
Limited delays were observed in some flights, but the region has not yet experienced major disruptions in air traffic.
The Italian Institute reported that the volcanic lava is still flowing after "strong explosions", where it has traveled a distance of about 2 kilometers eastward towards the Valle del Bove.
It is noteworthy that the yellow warning means increased monitoring and information exchange, while the surrounding airports remain open for business.
It should be noted that Mount Etna had experienced a previous eruption in June of last year, and a nearby airport had to temporarily close after several eruptions in February 2021.
