Mount Etna eruption creates spectacular show, disrupts flights

Mount Etna erupted Wednesday creating a spectacular light show that was visible from hundreds of miles around, La Repubblica reported. The eruption of the snow-covered volcano on the island of Sicily continued Thursday although its intensity seemed to be diminishing, according to the Italian newspaper.

The airport in the nearby city of Catania was temporarily closed, stranding the Roma soccer team in the city overnight. The club had returned to Sicily to complete a Serie A match against Catania that was halted by a storm last month. "Every time we come to Catania something happens," coach Luis Enrique told reporters. Click here to read the full report from La Repubblica in Italian.

All photos by Antonio Parrinello / Reuters

Mount Etna spews lava on the southern Italian island of Sicily on Feb. 9, 2012. Mount Etna is Europe's tallest and most active volcano.

Etna erupted 18 times in 2011 and Wednesday's was the second such event this year. See PhotoBlog images and video of the previous eruption in early January.

 

Discuss this post

Looks like the closer to the mountain and at the lower end, the more lights are on. People considering evacuating, perhaps?

  • 1 vote
Reply#1 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 8:12 AM EST

It's the end of the world. The sky is falling. Run for your lives. AHHHHHHHH.

    #1.1 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 10:22 AM EST

    Probably not, as it's not usually an explosive sort of eruption. Vesuvius, I would definitely want to evacuate if that ever erupted. Whole different ball game with that one.

    • 2 votes
    #1.2 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 11:50 AM EST

    If Vesuvius shows signs of erupting they're gonna have one hell of time with evacuation, people are perched on its slopes as it is and the governments ailing plan to buy people into moving out isn't working as it is...

    • 1 vote
    #1.3 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 2:55 PM EST
    Reply

    Excellent photos. Such power and beauty.

    • 5 votes
    Reply#2 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 8:45 AM EST

    The beauty of Vulcan at work. It looks like there are too many people nearby, so I hope it is just a sputter.

      Reply#3 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 9:36 AM EST

      Times are a changing.... Hold on to your seat-belt Batman! :D)

        Reply#4 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 10:57 AM EST

        One pyroclastic flow and how many people are gone? Reminds me of the people on the beach watching the Indonesian tsunami approaching...

        • 1 vote
        Reply#5 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 11:27 AM EST

        That's incredible. Wow. What a show. I wouldn't want that in my back yard though

          Reply#6 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 12:04 PM EST

          Lots of volcanic and tectonic activity occuring these last five years. Something's gearing up.

          • 1 vote
          Reply#7 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 12:18 PM EST

          Ah Heck, It's just a Roman pagan marshmallow roast...

            Reply#8 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 1:11 PM EST

            If I understood right the earth is rotating on it's axis and shifting ever so slightly. That's why weird weather and stuff has been happening...I think the north pole is trying to become the south and vice versa. What I'm thinking, don't know if that's correct or not...

              Reply#9 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 3:05 PM EST

              Not to worry. Kick back and enjoy the show. Have a glass of wine. Eat bread. Laugh. Be happy. Then, all of you will DIE DIE DIE ! ! ! Burn like the people of Pompei.............. Have a nice day.

              • 1 vote
              Reply#10 - Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:29 PM EST
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