Stromboli volcano eruption: Explosive activity rocks crater sending molten lava into sky

The dramatic series of eruptions was captured on video surveillance cameras placed at the Etneo Observatory of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology of Catania.

Stromboli is one of three active volcanoes in Italy and usually has small-scale eruptions every five to ten minutes.

The volcano has erupted many times and is constantly active with minor eruptions, often visible from many points on the island and from the surrounding sea, giving rise to the island’s nickname “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”.

Activity at the volcano, which is on an island north of Sicily in the Tyrrhenian sea, has been at normal levels recently, with small to moderate explosions from various vents.

But occasionally, unpredictable and violent eruptions interrupt the ordinary Strombolian activity and give a spectacular natural fireworks dislplay.

A slightly larger than average explosion occurred at the volcano on March 7 before activity returned to lower levels soon after.

And the latest dramatic eruptions were capture on film on Sunday night.

Experts said the eruptions were typical of summit activity characterised by explosions of variable energy.

Larger eruptions were recorded on July 26, October 23, November 1 and December 1, last year.

Stromboli’s activity is almost exclusively explosive but lava flows do occur at times when volcanic activity is high.

A so-called effusive eruption occurred in 2002, the first in 17 years, and again in 2003, 2007, and 2013.

Volcanic gas emissions from Stromboli are measured by a Multi-Component Gas Analyzer System, which detects pre-eruptive degassing of rising magma, improving prediction of volcanic activity.

(Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.)