The European Space Agency (ESA) has captured a dramatic image of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, erupting on June 2, 2025. The massive plume of ash, gas, and rock sent tourists fleeing as the eruption unfolded on the island of Sicily in Italy.
According to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology Observatory, this is one of the most significant eruptions since 2014. Preliminary observations show a partial collapse of the northern flank of the volcano’s southeast crater.
The ESA’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission captured the image, which clearly depicts the lava flow and massive plume of smoke and ash. A separate capture from the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite also shows the sulphur dioxide emitted in the plume.
This eruption highlights the importance of monitoring volcanic activity using space technology. The ESA’s Jupiter mission, set to swing through the Earth system this summer, aims to provide further insights into our solar system and the universe.
Source: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/06/Mount_Etna_erupts