Italy’s Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, erupted dramatically on Monday, sending a towering plume of ash, gas, and volcanic rock into the sky. Authorities urged the public to keep clear of the area as experts warned the activity could continue for several weeks.
The eruption began at 11:24 a.m. local time (09:24 GMT), according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). Surveillance footage captured a pyroclastic flow—an extremely dangerous surge of volcanic rock, ash, and hot gases—originating from the collapse of material on the northern flank of the volcano’s Southeast Crater. This explosive activity transitioned into a lava fountain, with jets of molten rock shooting into the air.
By early afternoon, the ash plume began to dissipate, leading INGV to downgrade its initial red aviation alert to orange, then yellow. Nearby Catania Airport remained open throughout the day. By mid-afternoon, the eruption had ceased without producing further ash clouds.
Renato Schifani, president of the Sicily region, reassured the public that experts confirmed there was no immediate danger, as the volcanic flow had not passed into the Valley of the Lion, a popular tourist area. Despite this, Salvo Cocina, head of regional civil protection, advised tourists to avoid the volcano’s vicinity.
Mount Etna has shown persistent activity in recent weeks, with Monday’s eruption being the most intense so far. Marco Viccaro, president of the Italian Association of Volcanology, described the event as a “strombolian activity” phase, where initially mild eruptions intensify rapidly and produce frequent energetic explosions.
Currently, the volcano is in a “recharge phase,” with magma rising closer to the surface. The duration and intensity of ongoing activity will depend on how much magma has reached the volcano’s upper feeding system. Viccaro warned that similar eruptions could continue for weeks or even months.
