The Voice News: Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, erupted dramatically on Monday, sending hot ash and lava shooting into the sky over Sicily. Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported near-continuous explosions from the volcano’s Southeast Crater, which intensified into a “lava fountain” by midday.
Infrared images shared by INGV showed lava flowing down the volcano’s slope. The eruption was triggered by a partial collapse of the Southeast Crater, which unleashed pyroclastic flows.
While the eruption was powerful, there was no immediate threat to nearby communities or air travel. Authorities closed off the summit area as a precaution, and tourists on the volcano were seen evacuating in videos shared online.
INGV official Stefano Branca confirmed that the danger zone was limited to the summit area. Sicily’s regional governor, Renato Schifani, reassured the public that the eruption posed no danger to the broader population.
Mount Etna is a stratovolcano — the classic cone-shaped type formed by layers of lava from repeated eruptions. It has erupted at least once annually in recent years, often dusting nearby towns in ash but rarely causing serious disruption.
In 2023, Etna captured global attention when it produced rare ring-shaped “vortex bubbles” from its crater.