Photo captures Mount Etna eruption creating rare volcanic storm, sending dramatic lightning streaks across the sky

A very highly effective eruption of Mount Etna has created a volcanic storm that despatched bolts of lightning dramatically throughout the sky over jap Sicily.

A volcano skilled with Italy’s Nationwide Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology mentioned Friday that such volcanic storms are uncommon however can occur in notably violent eruptions or with volcanoes situated close to the ocean.

The volcanologist, Boris Behnke, informed The Related Press that volcanic lightning was noticed as soon as over Etna in 2021, and earlier than that, in 2015.

The eruption shortly earlier than midnight Thursday did not trigger any injury. Nevertheless it did shoot ash greater than 6 miles into the air above sea stage.

Etna is considered one of Europe’s most energetic volcanoes, and its eruptions aren’t rare. It’s the largest of Italy’s three energetic volcanoes.

Etna erupted final June, releasing ash and orange lava into the air. The eruption lasted for just a few hours and triggered mud to rain on close by cities. Etna additionally erupted in October, sending an enormous plume of ash rising above the volcano.