Italy's Catania airport closed after the eruption of Etna volcano

ArabiaWeather.com - The Italian authorities were forced to close Catania airport on the eastern coast of the Italian island of Sicily, after the volcano Mount Etna spewed thick clouds of ash that covered the perimeter of the airport.

The airport of Calabria on the Italian mainland was closed Thursday after the sudden eruption of the Etna volcano, which is 3,350 meters above sea level. The Etna volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It often witnesses small eruptions with huge clouds of ash that can be seen widely.

The last eruption of the volcano was recorded in March 1993, when lava flowed in large quantities that threatened to engulf the town of "Zaverana Etna" located on the slopes of Mount "Etna", and the authorities were able to take emergency measures to divert the lava streams and stop them.