Last night, the sixth paroxysm in a row occurred at Mount Etna’s Voragine Crater on Sicily. By late afternoon, Europe’s highest volcano had already begun to intensify its activity. In the evening, the paroxysm became unstoppable and culminated in an impressive lava fountain. The peak of the eruption was only reached after midnight. The VAAC reported volcanic ash reaching an altitude of around 9,000 meters. Due to winds at different altitudes, the ash drifted both southeast and southwest. The latter ash cloud carried tephra towards Catania, where the airport was heavily affected by ashfall and had to be closed. Flight operations are expected to remain suspended until 6 p.m. today.