Explosions at Etna unleash ash and lava in Sicily night
The Etna volcano, located on the island of Sicily in southern Italy, erupted on the night of June 1, 2025, spewing ash, rocks, and magma in an intense activity that startled tourists and mobilized authorities. Powerful explosions marked the start of the event, producing a dense column of smoke visible from miles away. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) is monitoring the situation, confirming pyroclastic flows and a small lava overflow at the southeast crater. The eruption, confined to the Valle del Leone at 2,800 meters altitude, poses no immediate risk to the population. Tourists were instructed to evacuate the summit area by local guides and Sicily’s Civil Protection. The phenomenon, which lit up the night sky, garnered global attention with widely shared images and videos.
Volcanic activity began intensifying in recent weeks, with small tremors recorded since mid-May. On Saturday night, the quakes grew stronger, culminating in the explosions that triggered the eruption. Etna, known as the largest active volcano on the European plate, has a history of frequent eruptions, and this activity is closely tracked by experts.
• Initial activity: Mild tremors detected since mid-May. • Intensification: Stronger quakes on the night of June 1. • Eruption: Explosions and emission of ash, rocks, and magma from the southeast crater. • Monitoring: INGV tracks the event with thermal cameras and regular bulletins.
Vincenzo Bellini International Airport in Catania remains operational but on alert due to ash clouds reaching high altitudes. The situation is under control, with authorities vigilant for potential changes.
Recent volcanic activity of Etna On the morning of June 2, 2025, the Etna volcano displayed near-continuous explosions at the southeast crater, also known as Bocca Nuova. The INGV reported that a partial collapse of this crater contributed to the release of pyroclastic material, consisting of ash, rocks, and magma. The smoke column reached altitudes exceeding 8,000 meters, raising concerns for aviation. A red alert was initially issued but downgrades to orange during the day, indicating a decrease in emission intensity.
The lava flow, though small, was captured by INGV thermal cameras but remained confined to the Valle del Leone, an area often visited by hikers and tourists. Strombolian activity, characterized by moderate explosions and lava jets, dominated the early hours. Data show volcanic tremors peaked on the night of June 1 but began to subside gradually.
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Safety measures for tourists Local authorities and Sicily’s Civil Protection acted swiftly to ensure the safety of visitors and residents. Hundreds of tourists, drawn by Etna’s fame, were surprised by the eruption and directed to leave the summit area. Local guides assisted in the evacuation, prioritizing safe routes away from pyroclastic flows.
• Recommendations: Avoid the summit region until further notice. • Guidance: Use of masks in areas affected by ash. • Evacuation: Tourists removed with support from experienced guides. • Alert: Civil Protection monitors potential shifts in volcanic behavior. • Communication: Frequent updates via official channels and media.
The president of the Sicily region, Renato Schifani, stated that the expelled material did not extend beyond the Valle del Leone. Emergency teams remain on standby, and hikers were advised to steer clear of the summit zone for precaution.
History of Etna eruptions Etna, standing at 3,324 meters, is the tallest active volcano in Europe and boasts a long record of eruptions, documented for over 500,000 years. In recent years, the volcano showed significant activity, with notable eruptions in 2021, 2023, and 2024. In February 2021, the southeast crater hosted intense explosions, lighting up Sicily’s sky with lava fountains and ash columns.
In July and August 2024, Etna erupted, causing a temporary suspension of flights at Catania Airport due to ash fallout on the runways. Another striking event occurred in April 2024, when the volcano produced vapor rings, known as “smoke rings,” resulting from pressurized gas releases. These events drew photographers and scientists, captivated by the volcano’s unique activity.
Effects on local aviation The eruption that began on June 1, 2025, generated an ash cloud reaching altitudes above 8,000 meters, prompting the INGV to issue a red alert for aviation. Volcanic particles, such as ash, can damage aircraft engines, making monitoring critical. Vincenzo Bellini International Airport in Catania, located about 60 kilometers from the volcano, kept operations running, but authorities remain watchful.
In past eruptions, such as in July 2024, the airport closed temporarily due to ash accumulation. So far, no significant deposits of volcanic material have affected the runways, allowing flights to continue. The alert’s reduction to orange suggests stabilization, but vigilance persists.
Nature of expelled material The Etna eruption released a mix of ash, rocks, and magma, forming pyroclastic flows and dense smoke columns. The pyroclastic material, made up of solidified rock fragments, gases, and lava, was expelled mainly from the southeast crater. The INGV confirmed that the partial collapse of this crater fueled the initial emission intensity.
• Components: Fine ash, fragmented rocks, and magma. • Column height: Smoke and ash exceeded 8,000 meters. • Pyroclastic flows: Jets of lava and gases moving at ground level. • Affected area: Material confined to Valle del Leone at 2,800 meters. • Visibility: Smoke clouds observed from miles away.
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The lava, visible at night, created a spectacle of light and color, with its incandescent glow contrasting against the dark sky. The phenomenon, though striking, did not reach inhabited areas.
Monitoring and updates from INGV The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology tracks the eruption with thermal cameras, seismographs, and regular bulletins. Explosive activity at the southeast crater generated high-intensity volcanic tremors, especially in the early hours. Data indicate energy levels began to drop on June 2, suggesting a potential decline in activity.
The INGV maintains teams on-site to assess changes in the volcano’s behavior. Bulletins are issued regularly, informing authorities and the public about the event’s evolution. Pyroclastic flows and gas emissions are closely monitored for prompt responses to any shifts.
Reactions from tourists and residents Hundreds of visitors, eager to see Etna up close, were caught off guard by the eruption. Many captured the event, photographing the lava’s glow and smoke clouds. The evacuation proceeded orderly, with local guides directing tourists to safe zones.
Residents of Catania and nearby towns, accustomed to the volcano’s activity, follow updates closely. Ash fallout, though limited, affected some areas, and Civil Protection recommended masks in open spaces. The phenomenon also sparked interest online, with photos and videos widely shared.
Frequency of Etna eruptions Etna is known for its constant activity, with eruptions recorded over centuries. In recent months, the volcano logged 14 eruptive episodes, per the INGV. The southeast crater, the current activity’s epicenter, has been the most active, with frequent explosions and lava flows.
• Eruptions in 2024: Significant events in July and August. • Activity in 2025: First eruption of the year in February. • Southeast crater: Main source of explosions and emissions. • Frequency: 14 eruptions in recent months. • History: Activity documented for over 500,000 years.
The current eruption, starting June 1, is closely monitored, with authorities ready to adjust safety measures as needed.
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Prevention and guidance from authorities Sicily’s Civil Protection and the INGV collaborate to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. Hikers were warned to avoid the summit, and locals received guidance for handling ash fallout. Ongoing monitoring allows for rapid responses to changes in volcanic activity.
• Avoid the summit: Advice for tourists and hikers. • Mask usage: Protection against ash in open areas. • Monitoring: INGV updates bulletins regularly. • Evacuation: Local guides assist in visitor removal. • Communication: Official channels report on the event’s progress.
Authorities remain alert, and Catania Airport operates under monitoring to ensure the safety of flights and passengers.
Visual record of the phenomenon The Etna eruption produced striking images, with lava glow illuminating the night sky and smoke clouds visible from afar. Photographers and visitors captured the event, highlighting nature’s power. On the night of June 1, the contrast between incandescent lava and the dark sky created a unique natural display.
The phenomenon was also documented by INGV thermal cameras, recording pyroclastic flows and lava movement. The activity, though limited to Valle del Leone, drew global attention, with records widely shared.
