Etna's Ash Cloud Grounds Catania, Stranding Peak-Season Travelers

Sicily's Catania airport has suspended flights again as Mount Etna continues to spew lava and volcanic ash, according to Deutsche Welle. The eruption has disrupted travel during the peak summer holiday season, with the airport's closure stranding thousands of passengers at one of Italy's busiest southern gateways.

The New York Times reported that hundreds of flights have been canceled in Sicily over the past week as Etna releases an unusual amount of ash. An expert told the Times that while Etna erupts often, it typically does not produce this much ash, extending the disruption far beyond the usual brief closures.

Video footage from the Guardian shows hikers watching as molten lava, rocks and ash cascade down the volcano's slopes, a spectacular but hazardous display that has drawn both awe and concern.