Sicily's Mount Etna put on a fiery show on Monday, sending a cloud of smoke and ash several kilometres into the air.

Although the eruption sent some tourists scrambling, officials said the activity posed no danger to the population.

The level of alert was raised at the Catania airport due to the volcanic activity, but no immediate interruptions were reported. An official update declared the ash cloud emission had ended by the afternoon.

Video and photos of the eruption show a sudden cascade of material and billowing ash running down the flank of the summit, appearing as though the volcano was splitting in half.

Volcanic steam rises from Mount Etna, as seen from Milo, Italy, on Monday, while hot lava flows course down the side. (Marco Restivo/Reuters)

Footage shared on social media

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