I lived in the little town of Belpasso, Sicily (where the first video was shot from), while stationed at Sigonella NAF. It was not unusual to look out the back window of our apartment and see a fiery red glow from the crater of Mt. Etna, or even from a side fissure. I’ve also been to the main crater in its “less active” stage. Years later, I returned to Sicily with the family. We weren’t able to go to the top because it had recently blown it’s lid, but did go up part of the way. There were restaurants and a hotel up the slope near the top that were wiped out. Like a lunar landscape...beautiful in a rugged way.
When we lived in Europe, I remember that air traffic was diverted since that volcanic ash was a killer on wings and engines.
Never did get close enough to make the trip over to the island.
Back in the 60’s, I was stationed (VP-11) at Brunswick, ME. We deployed to NAS Sigonella.
Saw Mt. Etna everyday.
Occasionally our crew took the bus to Catania to get sloppy drunk.