CATANIA - Explosive activity from one of the craters, an increase in volcanic tremors and a seismic swarm at altitude has indicated that Etna is awakening and the Civil Protection has issued a "red alert", speaking of a "very high probability of imminent or ongoing occurrence of lava fountains," according to local experts.

 

Europe's tallest volcano recorded explosive activity from the Bocca Nuova crater starting at on Thursday evening, according to the Ingv, although no ash emission is currently reported.

 

While from the seismic point of view, the volcanic tremor amplitude continues to increase at high values and the source of the tremor is localised between the Bocca Nuova and South-East craters. On Friday morning, the INGV issued several bulletins explaining how volcanic activity was on the rise.

 

The Civil Defence of the Sicilian Region called on "municipalities to activate their municipal operational centres, their facilities and volunteers, as well as the measures provided for in the Civil Protection Plan'. The simulation of the possible dispersion of volcanic ash indicates a direction towards the eastern regions. The eruptive framework at the moment, explains the Civil Protection, does not impact on the operation of Catania's international airport with a "yellow" alert on flights.

 

 eb