Mount Etna, located on the Italian island of Sicily, erupted this Monday with a powerful explosion that released pyroclastic flows—a hot mixture of gases, ash, and rock fragments—sparking panic among the crowds of tourists walking nearby. The explosion generated an immense column of smoke visible from several locations. For example, from Catania, in southern Sicily, it was perfectly visible, yet the city's airport remained operational.

Early Wednesday morning, Etna's southeastern crater entered a new eruptive phase, with explosions, lava flows, and clouds of gas and ash. According to Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), lava fountains from what is considered Europe's most active volcano have reached between 200 and 300 meters above the vents at the top of the crater.

Early Wednesday morning, Etna's southeastern crater entered a new eruptive phase with explosions, lava flows, and clouds of gas and ash. The volcano erupted at altitudes of 1,500 feet (5,000 meters), rising to 1,000 feet (2,500 meters) above the vents at the top of the crater.