Italy's Mount Etna begins spewing ash, lava

ROME

Mount Etna in Italy began spewing ash and lava late Friday, prompting a red code for aviation.

🌋🔥 Etna Volcano in Catania, Italy, spewed ash and lava strongly in different directions from the Southeast Crater

Since November 19, 2023, a strombolian activity has been going on with alternating small pauses up to produce this eruption pic.twitter.com/VdEvhSozRQ

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) December 2, 2023

The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) issued a red code for aviation after Mount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes located in southern Italy, erupted again, spewing lava and ashes.

Despite the red code for aviation, Italy's Catania airport has been unaffected, according to local media reports.

Lava had reached a level that could be seen from surrounding cities such as Catania and Taormina.

Mount Etna, at 3,357 meters (11,014 feet) in height, is one of the world's most active volcanoes, with an almost constant state of activity. It erupted for the last time on Nov. 13-16.