Sicilian volcano Mount Etna spews ash and lava on Christmas Eve
A new fissure formed on Mount Etna on Monday, spewing lava and an impressive ash plume by Christmas Eve, according to Reuters.
Unusually high levels of seismic activity were reported by the Mount Etna Observatory, part of Italy's National institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, since over the weekend.
A total of 130 tremors were recorded by midday on Christmas Eve, even including a magnitude 4.0 earthquake, according to the Associate Press (AP).
Italy's Mount Etna spews the ash and smoke in Sicily, Italy December 24, 2018. (Image/Reuters)
A massive plume of ash and smoke could be seen rising from the volcano. The activity prompted authorities to briefly close the nearby Catania-Fontanarossa Airport on Monday.
The airport has since reopened, but those with afternoon and evening flights out of the airport are urged to check with their airline, as future cancellations are possible, according to Il Mattino.
No injuries were reported; however, hikers from higher elevations were brought down to 1,900 meters (6,230 feet) for their own safety.
View of Mount Etna erupting on December 24 (Twitter/@_hairetikos_)
Mount Etna erupting on Christmas Eve in Siciliy (Twitter/@gian90t)
