Europe’s largest active volcano sent lava towards the Valle del Bove after sudden activity. Two powerful lava arms emerged from the largest of Italy’s three active volcanoes, the Ingv of Catania reported.
The first “arm” arose from the southeastern crater and heads for Vale do Bove, which is deserted.
The second burst of lava was detected on the north side of the same crater.
There is intense strombolian activity on the volcano located on the island of Sicily.
Strombolian eruptions involve moderate explosions of expanding gases that eject lava clots in small eruptions.
The phenomena are confined to the area of the summit of the volcano, but are also visible in the city of Taormina, at the top of the hill, 30 miles away.
Boris Behncke, a volcanologist, said the lava was heading east.
He tweeted on Sunday: “Since this morning, January 17, 2021, a small stream of lava has been flowing from the southeastern crater of Etna towards the east, reaching a length of a few hundred meters”.
Mr. Behncke works for INGV-Osservatorio Etneo in Catania, Sicily.
READ MORE: Hawaii Volcano: Kilauea Big Island ERUPTION in progress as officials warn
People who live near the famous volcano also turned to Twitter to describe the scenes.
A British man named Peter said he was watching the eruption with a glass of wine from the comfort of his home.
He tweeted an impressive photo of the lava-lit night sky.
He said: “Sitting in my garden with a glass of wine watching Mount Etna blow.
“Absolutely spectacular.”
Local authorities issued an ash warning after the pieces of the black substance were found as far as Fleri, 18 miles from Etna.
On Christmas Eve 2018, Etna erupted, causing local airspace to close.
Two days later, a 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck the neighboring city of Catania.
Four people were injured and buildings were damaged. Fortunately, there were no fatalities.
Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.