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Italy’s Mount Etna, the most active volcano in Europe, erupted on Sunday, August 13th, 2023. The eruption followed weeks of releasing unusual smoke rings. Europe’s weather satellite, MTGI-1, captured an image of a thick smoke plume rising from the crater of the 11,000-foot-high volcano located on the island of Sicily. The satellite, positioned in geostationary orbit 22,000 miles above Earth, showed the dark plume, rich in sulfur, spreading southwards from Sicily across the Mediterranean Sea towards the coast of Libya.

The eruption, which included impressive lava geysers, did not pose a risk to residents of Sicily. However, local authorities had to close a nearby airport due to high concentrations of abrasive volcanic ash in the air. Volcanic ash is a major aviation hazard as it contains molten rock particles, which can damage aircraft engines.

The eruption followed a period of mild activity during which the volcano regularly emitted large smoke rings. This phenomenon occurs when a gas bubble bursts through the volcano’s vent, allowing magma and gases to reach the surface. These smoke rings were so large that they were visible even in satellite images. Researchers and observers shared images of these rings on social media platforms.

Italy’s Civil Protection Department issued a moderate warning for Mount Etna’s activity, triggering a yellow alert. Despite its frequent eruptions, the volcano is generally not considered dangerous as its lava flows slowly and requires time to reach nearby settlements. However, the volcanic ash can disrupt air travel for an extended period and adversely impact air quality in the Mediterranean region.

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