A small volcano vent has suddenly appeared near Rome’s International Fiumicino airport.

The geyser-like vent, which is nearly two metres wide, opened up and started shooting out steam and mud over the weekend.

Since then scientists have begun studying the hole, labelling it a ‘fumarole’, an opening in the earth’s crust.

The nearest volcanic activity is more than 12 miles south-east of Rome, where the latest volcanic activity was some 20,000 years ago.

Photo and video credit CC: Live Leak