May 21, 2013
Europe's only active volcano, Mount Etna sent plumes of ash flying into the air on Thursday (February 28) as it continued a series of recent eruptions.
The activity was reported to have taken place at the height of around 2,900 metres at a new crater.
Despite the thick clouds of smoke and ash, no disruption was caused to operations at the nearby Catania airport and there were no reports of evacuations from nearby towns and villages.
Local media reported five hours of activity at the volcano on Wednesday (February 27).
Etna, which is located above the Sicilian town of Catania, often erupts but rarely causes damage.
Whilst the eruptions themselves do not put the local population at risk, the local inhabitants do have to live with the ash showers that follow the events.
