Mt Etna, one of the most active volcanoes, doesn't fail to amaze

The year 2020 is not over yet, many joked on Twitter, as Europe's most active volcano erupted on December 14, 2020 with a spectacular show of lava in Catania, Italy.  Etna lit up the whole sky with bursts of hot lava and put on a spectacular show. Mount Etna is known for its frequent eruptions which send rivers of molten lava flowing down its slopes.  In a matter of a few minutes the intensity of the eruption upped from medium to high.

Mount Etna spewed lava during an eruption in the wee hours on December 14 and eruptions continue to light up the sky. It is a visible presence to the people and a constant threat. It is the second most active volcano on earth

Mount Etna, in Sicily, covers an area of 459 square miles with five different craters. It is about 10,922 feet tall. It has been studied by scientists and three observatories have been built on its slopes. Scientists say it's been active for 2.5 million years now.

The volcanic eruptions from Etna have never failed to amaze. They sometimes last for as long as four months or more. Major eruptions occurred in 1986 and 1999.

Mount Etna volcano looms large over the city of Catania and is surrounded by a dense population.

Giant orange fountains of lava could be seen in Catania, a city on the Italian island of Sicily. The most violent eruption took place in 1669

The nearby Catania airport operated  normally. The residents accept it as a threat but have learnt to live with it.

The authorities mentioned no danger to the towns that dot the mountain's slopes.