Etna belches out 12 km high lava plume

(ANSA) - CATANIA, MAR 4 - Etna on Thursday belched out a 12 km high lava plume in the latest of s string of recent spectacular eruptions from Europe's tallest active volcano.
    The volcano spewed ash and lapilli onto nearby Catania but the eastern Sicilian city's airport was still operational.
    A southeastern breeze helped take the high and dense column of lavic ash across the city.
    Lapilli also fell onto a number of smaller towns and villages on Etna's southern slopes including Nicolosi, Trecastagni, Pedara, Aci Sant'Antonio and San Gregorio.
    The iconic volcano also emitted a fresh lava flow.
    Volcanology institute INGV said it was the ninth "paroxysm" in Etna's latest phase of volcanic activity. (ANSA).