Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, showed renewed activity on the afternoon of January 1, producing striking images as lava began flowing on the Italian island of Sicily.
According to available information, the eruption started when lava emerged from a fissure at an altitude of around 2,000 meters (6,560 feet). The molten rock has since been moving downslope, reaching elevations of approximately 1,500 meters within the Valle del Bove, a large natural basin on the volcano’s eastern side.
Early images from the site show the lava advancing slowly and in a controlled manner. The Valle del Bove acts as a natural barrier, channeling the flow away from populated areas and significantly reducing potential risks.
So far, authorities have reported no damage to infrastructure, no disruptions, and no danger to residents in nearby areas.
