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See Mount Etna's latest lava flow glow on the snow-covered volcano

A river of lava flowing for around 3 kilometres down the volcano has been imaged by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites

19 February 2025

Mount Etna, located on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, is known as the most active stratovolcano in the world, with regular, ongoing volcanic activity. As of 8 February 2025, a new eruptive phase of Etna has begun. The volcano spewed out ash clouds and a lava flow extending approximately 3 kilometres. As a result of the volcanic activity, parts of the Catania Airport were closed temporarily, although overall airport operations have remained unaffected. This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 12 February 2025, shows the lava flow descending from the volcano. The Copernicus Sentinel satellites provide essential data on volcanic activity around the globe, providing authorities and researchers with insights into eruptions and their impacts on human activities.

European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

A tongue of lava spilling down the side of Mount Etna glows orange on the snow-covered volcano. This image, taken on 12 February by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites, shows a river of lava flowing for around 3 kilometres. A smaller flow and plumes of ash can also be seen heading to the right. Etna, in Sicily, Italy, is famously active, and this latest phase began on 8 February.

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