Mount Etna Erupts, Flights Suspended at Catania Airport
Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in Europe, has continued to release volcanic ash and lava.
According to an update on 14 September at 19:30, the eruption was still ongoing at that time.
A drone captured images of the activity, showing the volcano from above.
The ash created a large plume in the sky, reaching about 4 kilometers in size.
Because of this ash cloud, Catania airport suspended arriving flights until 22:00.
Volcanic ash can be very dangerous for aircraft engines, so airports often stop flights during eruptions.
Mount Etna is located on the island of Sicily, in southern Italy, and it erupts fairly often.
Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely to decide when it is safe for flights to resume.
Passengers with flights to Catania were advised to check for updates before traveling to the airport.
This is not the first time Etna has caused travel disruption; similar suspensions have happened before due to ash clouds.
The airport has not yet announced when normal operations will fully return.
Vocabulary10 words
- volcano
- a mountain that can release hot rock, gas, and ash
- eruption
- when a volcano sends out ash, gas, or lava
- drone
- a small flying machine used to take pictures
- plume
- a large cloud of smoke or ash rising into the air
- suspend
- to stop something for a period of time
- aircraft
- a plane or other flying machine
- authorities
- the people or groups in charge, like officials
- operations
- the normal activities that keep something running
- disruption
- something that stops normal activity
- resume
- to start again after stopping
Quiz
Answer key
1. Releasing volcanic ash and lava 2. Because of the volcanic ash cloud 3. 22:00
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Mount Etna, one of the most active _____ in Europe, has continued to release volcanic ash and lava.
According to an update on 14 September at 19:30, the _____ was still ongoing at that time.
A _____ captured images of the activity, showing the volcano from above.
The ash created a large _____ in the sky, reaching about 4 kilometers in size.
Because of this ash cloud, Catania airport _____ arriving flights until 22:00.
Volcanic ash can be very dangerous for _____ engines.
Mount Etna is located on the island of Sicily, in southern _____.
Local _____ are monitoring the situation closely.
Passengers were advised to check for updates before _____ to the airport.
The airport has not yet announced when normal _____ will fully return.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think volcanic ash is dangerous for airplanes?
- Have you ever experienced a travel delay because of natural events?
- How do you think airports decide when it is safe to resume flights?
- Why might people want to see drone images of a volcano?