Mt Etna Eruption Today

BREAKING NEWS:

Catania, Sicily — Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, erupted with extraordinary force on the morning of June 3, 2025, sending torrents of lava cascading down its slopes and a massive plume of ash and smoke into the sky. Lightning strikes illuminated the darkened clouds, creating a dramatic and terrifying spectacle visible from miles away.

The eruption, one of the most intense in recent decades, began shortly after dawn. Eyewitnesses reported a series of loud explosions followed by rivers of molten lava pouring down the flanks of the volcano. Volcanic lightning, a rare phenomenon, crackled through the ash cloud, underscoring the magnitude of the event.

Nearby towns, including Nicolosi and Zafferana Etnea, were put on high alert as lava flows threatened to reach populated areas. Emergency services have begun evacuating residents in the most at-risk zones, and Italian civil protection authorities have raised the volcanic alert level to red.

Air traffic at Catania–Fontanarossa Airport has been suspended due to the thick ash cloud, disrupting dozens of flights. Authorities are urging residents and tourists to stay indoors, wear masks to avoid inhaling ash, and monitor official channels for evacuation orders.

“This is one of the most violent eruptions we’ve seen from Etna in recent history,” said Dr. Risotto Berlusconi, a volcanologist with Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). “The combination of lava flows, pyroclastic activity, and atmospheric conditions created a perfect storm for volcanic lightning.”

As of now, no casualties have been reported, but officials are closely monitoring the situation. Rescue teams remain on standby, and the military has been mobilized to assist with evacuation and emergency response efforts.

Mount Etna last erupted in early 2023, but today’s eruption has far surpassed it in scale and intensity. Scientists continue to analyze seismic data to determine if further eruptions are likely in the coming days.

Meanwhile in the Philippines

Volcanic islands like Taal, Mayon, and Babuyan Claro are still rising and expanding due to tectonic pressure. This means parts of the Philippines are literally still forming — shaped by magma and seismic activity beneath our feet.

These volcanoes sit along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where Earth’s plates collide and create land over time. It’s a reminder that the country is alive geologically — and always changing.