Satellites captured lava flowing down the slopes of Etna during a powerful eruption on June 2, which also triggered a strong pyroclastic flow in the opposite direction. (Image credit: Copernicus Sentinel data (2025) processed by ESA)
Satellite images have captured a glowing “river of fire” flowing down the slopes of Etna during the explosive eruption, which also released a huge column of ash, smoke and volcanic gases rising high above the Italian island of Sicily.
On June 2, at about 11:20 a.m. local time, a giant, super-hot avalanche of ash, known as a pyroclastic flow, suddenly erupted, rushing down the western slope of Etna. Experts believe the rapid release was caused by a collapse of part of the volcano's caldera wall. The sudden release sent tourists fleeing, but no one was injured or killed.
The eruption also released a volcanic plume that rose 4 miles (6.5 km) above Europe's largest active volcano. This plume consisted of sulfur dioxide, which is toxic and can be dangerous at high concentrations. However, the eruption stopped after six hours, meaning the plume and its impact on the environment were short-lived.
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One of the EU's Copernicus satellites was flying over Sicily during the eruption and captured a stunning image of a lava flow snaking down a slope in the opposite direction to the pyroclastic flow. The river of fire went largely unnoticed as people's attention was focused on the rising plume. However, the molten rock did not reach populated areas.
In the image, the glowing lava is surrounded by dark patches of land that extend toward the Mediterranean coast and could be mistaken for a huge shadow cast by the 11,013-foot (3,357-meter) mountain. This dark spot is actually made of fossilized magma left over from previous eruptions.
Sourse: www.livescience.com
