Sunday, 27 October, 2002, 20:45 GMT
Mount Etna erupts again
Europe's largest volcano is becoming more explosive
Europe's biggest and most active volcano - Mount Etna, in the Italian island of Sicily - has come back to life, with dramatic eruptions of ash and boiling lava.
The lava flows have reached tourist areas, and the airport in the Sicilian city of Catania has been closed.
Mount Etna has had four major eruptions in the last 309 years. Vulcanologists have warned that it is gradually becoming more explosive and more dangerous.
After months of silence, Etna's activity resumed early on Sunday, when as many as 200 tremors shook eastern Sicily, causing panic and sending people to the streets.
The quakes measured 2.9 to 3.5 on the Richter, according to Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology.
More tremors were registered later on Sunday.
Reassurance
Officials in Catania, Sicily's second-largest city, which sits in the shadow of Etna, say they are ready to send water-carrying planes to fight any fires.
Although some hotels have been evacuated, the mayor moved to reassure Catania's 330,000 residents that they were in no danger.
"The situation in Catania is completely under control and our city is not threatened in any way," Mayor Umberto Scapagnini said.
Late on Sunday a mushroom-shaped cloud was still hanging over the mountain top.
In Catania, city workers were sweeping thick layers of ash from the streets.
Erratic display
Three tongues of lava have been snaking down the mountain.
The heaviest flow descended towards Piano Provenzana, a popular area for tourists to take mountain walks in summer and for skiing in the winter.
The flow pushed over ski-lift pylons, knocked down power lines before surrounding an empty mountain hotel and lodge. No one was injured.
The area has been evacuated and sealed by police.
Etna is almost constantly rumbling, but had not erupted since July and August last year, which experts described as one of the most erratic and complex displays in 300 years. Its last major eruption was in 1992.