Italy's volcanoes - Stromboli does not come to rest - Etna also spits
On the Italian Mediterranean island of Stromboli, the namesake volcano remains restless. Due to concerns of a violent eruption, the highest alert level of red has been declared. Massive amounts of lava flow from the crater of the over 920 meter high mountain, making their way down several hundred meters steeply towards the sea. A large cloud of smoke and steam hovers over the island between Sicily and the Italian mainland. Additionally, the Etna on Sicily is once again active.
The authorities on Stromboli have called on the population to keep a close eye on the situation and follow all instructions from the Civil Defense. Previously, the Italian Institute for Geophysics and Vulcanology (IGNV) had detected a sudden increase in seismic activity. The island, which belongs to the Lipari Islands, is home to only a few hundred people. However, many tourists travel there from the mainland or Sicily by sea to observe or even climb the volcano.
Stromboli is also known through literature and film: In Jules Verne's adventure novel "Journey to the Center of the Earth" from the 19th century, the book's heroes are catapulted back to the surface from the Stromboli crater. Italian filmmaker Roberto Rossellini shot the film classic "Stromboli" there shortly after World War II, with his later wife Ingrid Bergman in the lead role.
Approximately 200 kilometers away on the much larger island of Sicily, Etna drew attention. Ash rain fell on the nearby city of Catania, causing a flight and takeoff ban at the airport for several hours. The ash particles covered both the planes and the runway. Gray-black ash was also found in the streets and on the houses in other settlements.
Etna continued to spit out lava fountains into the night. At times, a cloud reached nearly five kilometers into the sky. In the region, the second highest alert level of orange was in effect. According to IGNV, Etna then calmed down gradually. The approximately 3350 meter high Etna is Europe's largest active volcano. Its exact height changes through eruptions and ash cones.
- Despite the volcanic activity in Italy, tourism continues to draw visitors, with many people traveling to Sicily to observe or climb Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe.
- Stromboli is not only a popular tourist destination for volcano climbing but also holds significance in literature and cinema, as seen in Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and Roberto Rossellini's film "Stromboli."
- Located between Sicily and the Italian mainland, Stromboli's restless volcano poses a threat to its small population of a few hundred, but authorities have urged them to stay informed and follow instructions from the Civil Defense.
- Volcanic activity extends beyond Stromboli, with Naples and its neighboring volcano, Stromboli, frequently showing signs of restlessness, just like Italy's iconic Etna, which recently erupted near the city of Catania, causing temporary travel disruptions.
