Mount Etna erupted early Monday, June 2, releasing gas, ash and lava from its southeastern crater in a dramatic but contained display. Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported that the eruption began just after midnight, likely triggered by a partial crater collapse.
The activity featured intermittent Strombolian explosions, a type of volcanic burst fueled by trapped gas in the magma.
The eruption sent columns of ash several kilometers into the air, prompting a temporary aviation alert at Catania Airport and delaying 62 flights, according to FlightAware. Authorities later downgraded the alert.
Where did the lava and pyroclastic flows go?
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Ash plumes triggered a temporary red aviation alert at Catania Airport, causing delays to more than 60 flights before the alert was downgraded.
INGV reported the eruption generated three primary lava flows — southward, eastward and northward — originating from the base of the southeastern crater. The flows remained within the natural summit containment area and are now cooling.
A pyroclastic flow, a fast-moving cloud of hot gas and volcanic debris, traveled northeast toward the northern wall of the Valle del Bove, a known geological depression on Etna’s eastern flank.
Ashfall was reported in the towns of Césarò and Bronte, northwest of the volcano. By Monday evening, sporadic ash emissions were still visible from the Northeast Crater. However, overall volcanic tremor and ground deformation had diminished significantly.
Were tourists or residents in danger?
Officials say there were no injuries or structural damage. The summit area had already been closed to the public before the eruption.
Still, social media videos showed tourists hurrying down mountain trails as plumes rose behind them. Some visitors reported receiving no emergency alerts, despite being near the eruption zone.
Sicilian region President Renato Schifani confirmed that the eruption did not breach containment and posed no threat to nearby communities.
How does this compare to past eruptions?
Monday’s eruption was Etna’s 14th eruptive phase in recent months. A similar eruption in February also disrupted air travel across eastern Sicily.
While Etna is Europe’s largest and most active volcano, most of its eruptions occur at the summit and do not threaten populated areas.
INGV says it will continue monitoring the volcano and conduct field mapping in the coming days.
