Local New Yorker Shares Photos Of Mount Etna’s Eruption On Her Trip To Italy
Photo by Christina Harris
A Recent Eruption
Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, erupted dramatically on May 12, 2025, marking its 15th paroxysm of the year. The eruption originated from the Southeast Crater, producing intense Strombolian activity characterized by frequent explosions and lava fountains. Two modest lava flows advanced southward and eastward, while an ash plume drifted southeast, depositing volcanic ash near the town of Zafferana Etnea.
Mount Etna is located on the eastern coast of Sicily, the largest island in Italy, rising dramatically near the city of Catania. Sitting between the Ionian Sea and the interior of the island, Etna dominates the local landscape and plays a significant role in the region’s culture, economy, and environment. As one of the world’s most active volcanoes, its position near a major metropolitan area makes it both a natural wonder and a geological concern. Its proximity to Catania, just about 30 kilometers, or 18.6 miles, to the south, means that eruptions can have a direct impact on daily life, from air travel disruptions to ashfall in surrounding towns and villages.
Christina Harris, a local New Yorker visiting Sicily captured the spectacle and shared her photos with The Empire City Wire. She captured the images while she was en route from the airport to her AirBnB. The images showcase the volcano's intense activity, with lava fountains and glowing ash clouds illuminating the night sky. These firsthand visuals provide a compelling glimpse into the eruption, bringing the dramatic event closer to readers back in New York.
Photo by Christina Harris
Eruption Downgraded to “Green”
Despite the eruption's intensity, authorities confirmed that operations at Catania’s Vincenzo Bellini International Airport remained unaffected. The Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) issued by INGV has since been downgraded to "green," indicating the lowest alert level.
Mount Etna stands approximately 3,300 meters, or approximately 2 miles, tall and is renowned for its frequent activity. It is the tallest active volcano in continental Europe. This latest eruption adds to a series of eruptions observed in recent months, with intense volcanic activity noted in February and April of this year.
