Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology (INGV) said there was “lively spattering” as fire and hot ash exploded into the sky in an eruption which began on Thursday when new cracks in the volcano opened up.
“We are starting a new eruptive phase of Etna which could end soon or last months,” Eugenio Privitera, director of the INGV, said.
“The phenomena are all confined to the summit area of the volcano and do not constitute a danger to inhabited centres and people, but the flow of tourists in the area must be controlled for their safety.”
The lava came from two eruptive fissures on the northeastern and south-southeastern sides of the New Southeast Crater.
Europe’s highest and most active volcano, Mount Etna previously erupted last December and sparked minor earthquakes that caused extensive damage to buildings in the surrounding area.
The latest lava show did not pose any threat to residents of Catania, the city which is situated at the base of the volcano.
Flights at the nearby Catania airport were not disrupted by the eruption.
