Mount Etna Volcano Erupts, Lava Flows into Sicily’s Valle del Bove

Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano, erupted once again as it started a new geological cycle.

The volcano pushed waves of lava into the Valle del Bove of Sicily, according to Spain’s El Imparcial newspaper.

The report noted that the eruption originated near the Valle del Bove crater, close to Monte Simone on the eastern side of the island, at an altitude of approximately 2,100 meters above sea level.

Italian emergency services issued a warning on December 28 after detecting renewed volcanic activity on Etna’s northwestern slope. 

The activity included strong explosions, advancing lava flows, and thick columns of smoke rising into the air.

Italy’s ANSA news agency quoted the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) as confirming the presence of a lava flow moving within the Valle del Bove. 

The institute said monitoring and studies are still ongoing to determine the exact path and current status of the lava.

ANSA added that explosive activity continues inside the “Bocca Nuova” crater, accompanied by emissions of volcanic ash. 

However, the ash is dispersing quickly around the summit area and has not affected air traffic at Catania International Airport.

Mount Etna is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with a volcanic history dating back around half a million years. 

Over recent decades, it has experienced numerous eruptions, producing lava flows and spectacular lava waves across different parts of Sicily.