Mount Etna, Sicily's very active volcano and a well-known European landmark, erupted strongly on Monday, sending a large cloud of smoke and ash several kilometers into the air. Catania airport briefly raised its alert level, but flights were mostly not affected, and the ash cloud disappeared by the afternoon. The eruption happened because part of the southeast crater collapsed, creating lava flows, but it did not immediately threaten populated areas. Even though the summit of Etna was closed to tourists as a safety measure, the lava stayed within its natural boundaries. People in nearby towns and villages widely felt the eruption, which caused a lot of discussion on social media. Despite the temporary disturbance, Etna continues to be a popular tourist spot because of its impressive height and large area.