Volcanic activity usually involves slow, gurgling flows—rarely spewing lava and ash into the sky. But Mount Etna erupted in awe-inspiring fashion on Thursday morning, shooting a stream of lava about 3,200 ft. (975 m) into the air above Sicily, and a plume of ash about three times as high.
The eruption thickly covered a number of neighboring villages with ash and shut down the nearest airport on the Italian island, but no injuries have thus far been reported.
During the spew, volcanic lightning illuminated the billowing clouds. The electric occurrence only happens during the most powerful eruptions.
The event lasted 50 minutes, which was enough time for photographers and videographers to capture the fiery spectacle.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- LGBTQ Reality TV Takes on a Painful Moment
- Column: How the World Must Respond to AI
- What the Debt Ceiling Deal Means for Student Loan Borrowers
- India’s Female Wrestlers Are Saying #MeToo
- 7 Ways to Get Better at Small Talk
- Florence Pugh Might Just Save the Movie Star From Extinction
- The End of Succession
- Scientists Get Closer to Harnessing Solar Power From Space
