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HomeEnvironmentApocalyptic pictures of Etna look like Mount Doom as eruption continues

Apocalyptic pictures of Etna look like Mount Doom as eruption continues

Apocalyptic pictures of Etna look like Mount Doom as eruption continues
Apocalyptic pictures of Etna look like Mount Doom as eruption continues
Smoke billowing from a crater, as seen from the southern side of the Mt Etna volcano, tower over the city of Pedara, Sicily (Credits: AP)

Mount Etna is currently undergoing a series of huge eruptions and has been spewing lava off and on since December.

While the Italian authorities have said the current volcanic eruption doesn’t pose any immediate risk to the surrounding villages, the pictures certainly look terrifying.

And while the lava hasn’t caused any injury or death, the giant plumes of ash and smoke are becoming an inconvenience.

The continued eruptions have forced the temporary closure of Sicily’s Catania Airport – a frequent occurrence when Etna is in an active phase.

Moreover, the residents of nearby Pedara have been put onto an alert status because of the ash. Rocks and debris kicked up into the air by the blast have also come down hard on the nearby settlement.

CATANIA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 24: Mount Etna spews lava, ash and volcanic rock toward the Bove Valley on February 24, 2021 in Catania, Italy. Etna, shown from the southeast crater, is erupting for the sixth time in eight days, with a lava plume that rose 1,500 kilometers above the top, though authorities say there is no risk for the population, calling the fireworks show part of a Strombolian eruption that is normal for the more than 3,300-metre-high volcano. (Photo by Fabrizio Villa/Getty Images)
Mount Etna spews lava, ash and volcanic rock (Getty Images)
CATANIA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 24: A large gas cloud, seen from Trecastagni, erupts from Mount Etna, which has been spewing lava, ash and volcanic rock toward the Bove Valley for more than a week on February 24, 2021 in Catania, Italy. Etna, shown from the southeast crater, is erupting for the sixth time in eight days, with a lava plume that rose 1,500 kilometers above the top, though authorities say there is no risk for the population, calling the fireworks show part of a Strombolian eruption that is normal for the more than 3,300-metre-high volcano. (Photo by Fabrizio Villa/Getty Images)
The plume of smoke from Etna’s eruption reaches 10km into the air (Getty Images)
CATANIA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 24: The statue of the Immaculate Madonna in Milo is shown lit in the shadow of Mount Etna, which has been spewing lava, ash and volcanic rock on a regular basis for over a week toward the Bove Valley on February 24, 2021 in Catania, Italy. Etna, shown from the southeast crater, is erupting for the sixth time in eight days, with a lava plume that rose 1,500 kilometers above the top, though authorities say there is no risk for the population, calling the fireworks show part of a Strombolian eruption that is normal for the more than 3,300-metre-high volcano. (Photo by Fabrizio Villa/Getty Images)
The statue of the Immaculate Madonna in Milo is shown lit in the shadow of Mount Etna, which has been spewing lava, ash and volcanic rock on a regular basis for over a week (Getty Images)

Alfio Cristaudo, the mayor of Pedara, said: ‘The entire territory of Pedara and all the streets are covered in volcanic ashes and lapillus [volcanic stones],’.

Etna is a popular tourist destination, and its eruptions, especially when seen at night, are spectacular to watch.

This photo taken late on February 24, 2021 in Zafferana Etnea, Sicily, shows lava flowing along the sides of the southern crater of the Etna volcano as a new eruptive episode of tall lava fountains, known as paroxysm, occurs. (Photo by Giovanni ISOLINO / AFP) (Photo by GIOVANNI ISOLINO/AFP via Getty Images)
Lava flowing along the sides of the southern crater of the Etna volcano as a new eruptive episode of tall lava fountains, known as paroxysm, occurs. (AFP)
A fiery river of glowing lava flows on the north-east side of the Mt Etna volcano engulfed with ashes and smoke near Milo, Sicily, Wednesday night, Feb. 24, 2021. Europe's most active volcano has been steadily erupting since last week, belching smoke, ash, and fountains of red-hot lava. (AP Photo/Salvatore Allegra)
A fiery river of glowing lava flows on the north-east side of the Mt Etna volcano engulfed with ashes and smoke near Milo, Sicily on Feb. 24, 2021. (Credits: AP)
This photo taken late on February 24, 2021 in Porto di Riposto, Sicily, shows lava flowing along the sides of the southern crater of the Etna volcano as a new eruptive episode of tall lava fountains, known as paroxysm, occurred. (Photo by Giovanni ISOLINO / AFP) (Photo by GIOVANNI ISOLINO/AFP via Getty Images)
This photo taken late on February 24, 2021 in Porto di Riposto, Sicily, shows lava flowing along the sides of the southern crater of the Etna volcano (AFP)

Standing at 10,922 feet tall, Etna covers an area of 459 square miles with five different craters.

More than 500,000 people live around the base of Mount Etna which has history of violent eruptions and is one of the most active volcanoes on earth.

Even the ancient Romans wrote about it and lived in its shadow, as it has been active for thousands of years.

Etna eruption south-east crater photographed from Catania, Etna seen from the port. Pictured: GV,General View Ref: SPL5212609 230221 NON-EXCLUSIVE Picture by: IPA / SplashNews.com Splash News and Pictures USA: +1 310-525-5808 London: +44 (0)20 8126 1009 Berlin: +49 175 3764 166 photodesk@splashnews.com World Rights, No France Rights, No Italy Rights, No Spain Rights
Etna smoulders during its latest eruption (Credits: IPA / SplashNews.com)

In these recent shots though, it looks more like a volcano from Middle-Earth than southern Europe.