Mount Etna in Sicily was spitting out lava and columns of ash on Christmas Eve after the volcano initially reawoke in late July. Shocking posted by residents show billowing black and grey smoke spewing over the blue skies after Europe’s higest volcano blew her top. Residents reported feeling “many little earthquakes” across the region, including Catania,before the explosion. A Twitter user posted: “Ms Etna is performing a Christmas show. Many little earthquakes in the last few hours.”
Another said: “Mount Etna erupting right now. mini earthquakes being felt across Catania. witnessing the wonder of nature. humbled as we were hiking this active volcano just yesterday. #catania #etna #volcano”.
One posted: “#MerryChristmas from Mount Etna who decided to wake up this morning for the festivities… “
A Twitter user added: “Scary sight: Mount #Etna woke up rather angry this morning. #stratovolcano #Italy #Sicily”
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Mount Etna, at 3,330 metres (10,926 feet), is the highest volcano in mainland Europe and is considered to be one of the most active in the world.
It produces around seven million tonnes of CO2, water and sulphur dioxide every year and in 2011 spewed nearly 70 million tonnes of lava.
The eruption may appear to be small but there have been dangerous blasts in recent years as ten people were injured including a BBC camera crew in March 2017 when spewing lava exploded on impact with snow.
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Etna is in an almost constant state of activity but has remained slightly dormant over the past two years.
The volcano lies above the convergent plate margin between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
The 700,000-year-old volcano is a huge 24 miles wide and 10,926 feet high.
Etna produces around 7 million tonnes of steam, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide every year.
In 2013, Etna was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.