Satellite images capture Mount Etna's eruption from space

Hiyah Zaidi Published June 4, 2025 2:55pm Link is copied Comments Tourists were seen running for their lives after Mount Etna erupted on Monday. The Sicilian volcano is Europe's largest and most active stratovolcano, and has recently spewed a giant plume of gas that stretched four miles into the sky. But, just as the volcano erupted, the Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite was passing by and managed to capture the whole thing in dramatic images (Picture: EU/Copernicus Sentinel-2 / SWNS) On June 2, at around 12pm local time, the volcano erupted following volcanic tremors which began around midnight. The eruption sent a pyroclastic flow - which is a mix of hot rock, ash and gas - down the side of the mountain. The cloud it produced, which was mainly made up of water and sulphur dioxide, headed south west and was so big it plunged the nearby town of Catania into darkness (Picture: European Space Agency) One concern of the eruption was the disruption of air traffic. Dr Stuart Black, geological expert at the University of Reading, said: 'Commercial aircraft typically fly at similar altitudes as where the volcanic material is reaching, so persistent activity could force flight rerouting in the region.' However, the eruption has led to no reported injuries or damage, and barely disrupted flights on or off the island (Picture: European Space Agency) The eruption began with an increase of pressure in the hot gases inside the volcano, according to The Conversation. This led to the partial collapse of part of one of the craters atop Etna on the south eastern edge of the volcano, which led to the pyroclastic flow. However, the lava flowed in three directions, and began to cool down. Pyroclastic flows can be extremely dangerous and can travel at an average of 60 miles per hour, reaching temperatures up to 1,000°C (Picture: European Space Agency) However, the flows did not make it beyond the Valle del Leone (or Lion Valley) which forms a natural containment area. But the volcano has been active recently, with the latest eruption marking the 14th episode since mid-March. The most recent pyroclastic flows with significant reach were recorded on February 10, 2022, October 23, 2021, December 13, 2020 and February 11, 2014, Marco Viccaro, president of Italy's national volcanology association, said on Tuesday (Picture: European Space Agency) Mount Etna reaches around 3,350 meters (11,050 feet) above sea level and is 35 kilometers (22 miles) in diameter. It is the highest Mediterranean island mountain and the most active stratovolcano in the world. It has documented eruptions dating back to 1500 BCE. The largest recorded historical eruption of the volcano occurred in 1669, when a number of big eruptions took place for around four months. It's thought that around fourteen villages and towns were destroyed by the lava flows or by earthquakes, and around 20,000 people were killed by the eruptions (Picture: AP) At the moment, researchers cannot give accurate details on when a volcano is about to blow. However, there are some warning signs, such as earthquakes when the magma pushes its way up to the surface. The magma also makes the ground near a volcano bulge upwards very slightly, by a few millimetres or centimetres, which can be monitored using satellites. However, new research suggests that trees may act as a good early warning detection system, as the magma beneath the surface releases a lot of carbon dioxide, which makes the trees more green – and this can be monitored through satellites (Picture: Getty)

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Its rooms are also triple-glazed so, despite St. Julian's being Malta's nightlife capital, we didn't have to worry about our five-star sleep being disturbed by revellers. Awe-inspiring A short drive from the hotel is the port of Cirkewwa, the jumping-off point for visiting Malta's sister islands, Gozo and Comino, and we were lucky enough to have Audrey — a proud Gozitan — showing us around her home isle. Gozo is an unassuming patch of land with a smaller population than Dover, yet it is home to the awe-inspiring Ggantija temples — megalithic structures that are older than the pyramids. Its vibrant capital, Victoria, is another must-visit, and on a clear day you can even see Sicily from the ramparts of the city. There is plenty to do beyond sightseeing. At Il-Wileg restaurant, you can try your hand at making the authentic Gozitan cheese, which is served all over Malta, under the watchful eye of a local chef — or you can take an idyllic tuk-tuk ride around the island. 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