Mount Etna Erupts Once Again
ByMount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano, has erupted once again. The fiery volcano, measuring 10,925 feet tall, spewed large amounts of molten lava, smoke and ash over the Sicilian countryside.
The eruption, which was captured on camera from Acireale, near Cantania, began late on Saturday and slowed down by Sunday morning. The volcano eruption did not pose any danger to the lives of people near the mountain's slopes, Daily Mail reports.
However, Cantania Airport has been shut down because the ash clouds could potentially melt and coat the plane's parts with a layer of glass.
Etna erupts rarely. Its last major eruption occurred in 1992. Although the volcano has existed for almost one million years ago, it is still in constant activity and is steadily growing. Since its existence, there have been more than 200 eruptions. In 122 BC, a volatile eruption spewed ash in huge amounts onto the town of Catania, it destroyed hundreds of houses. The inhabitants at the time were exempted from paying taxes to Rome for ten years.
The most powerful eruption occurred in 1669, when the explosions damaged part of the pinnacle and the lava reached the sea situated more than 10 miles away. The longest explosion began in 1979 and continued for almost 13 years.
Although Mount Etna is considered to be one of the important sources of income, agriculture (rich volcanic soil) and tourism, it has been a constant concern for Sicilian government because more than 25 percent of the island's populations live on Etna's slopes.