An enchanting phenomenon in Sicily. Circular clouds have appeared above Mount Etna.
Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe. Although serious eruptions posing a threat to people are not frequent on Sicily, the volcanic cone doesn’t let itself be forgotten. In recent days, unusual clouds above Etna have circulated in the media. It’s known how they formed.
3 min readApr 12, 2024
During the first weekend of April 2024, Mount Etna treated the inhabitants of Sicily and tourists visiting southern Italy to an unusual spectacle. White rings with nearly perfect circular shapes rose from the stratovolcano towards the blue sky. In photos and recordings, they look like smoke rings released by smokers. What are they really and how do they form?
Etna surprised with rings
Scientists call them vortex rings. Etna produced them as a result of the rapid release of gases and vapors from a crater that formed on the…
