Rome [Italy], June 2, 2025 – Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano located on the island of Sicily, erupted again on Monday, unleashing a dramatic column of ash and lava from its Southeast Crater. Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology (INGV) confirmed that the eruption’s intensity has increased and become nearly continuous.
The institute posted infrared images and videos on social media showing a lava fountain and a massive ash plume rising into the clear sky. The explosive activity, which began modestly, evolved into full-scale lava fountaining, with molten streams flowing visibly down the slopes of the stratovolcano.
Despite the dramatic visuals, authorities reported no immediate danger to the local population, which is familiar with the mountain’s frequent volcanic activity. Air travel operations also remained unaffected for the time being.
Mount Etna has earned the distinction of being the most active stratovolcano in the world, erupting at least once annually for several years. Last year, it captivated observers with an unusual phenomenon — ring-like vortex clouds emitted from its crater.
This latest eruption adds to Etna’s long geological history, characterized by repeated eruptions that have shaped its classic conical structure layer by layer. Towns surrounding the volcano are occasionally blanketed with ash, but serious disruptions have been rare in recent decades.
