Volcanic activity persists at Italy’s Mt. Etna

ROME / ISTANBUL

The lava flow from Mt. Etna in southern Italy continued early Tuesday morning, according to local sources.

One of Italy’s most active volcanoes, Etna began showing renewed activity over the weekend after lava started seeping from a crack on the southern slope of the crater known as Bocca Nuova (New Mouth).

No significant changes were recorded in the volcano's parameters, according to the Etna Observatory of the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).

It was also noted that the lava flow proceeded in a very narrow line and extended only a few hundred meters.

Italian media reported that there was no cause for alarm, with authorities closely monitoring the situation.

This situation is considered within the realm of normal volcanic activity.

Mt. Etna, on the island of Sicily, is the highest active volcano in continental Europe.

Last summer, after a period of relative quiet following a major eruption in December 2023, it experienced successive eruptions.

Despite its frequent eruptions, Mt. Etna is a major tourist attraction.

In 2013, UNESCO designated the volcano and its surroundings as a World Heritage Site, recognizing its geological significance and impact on the local culture and economy.