Mount Etna Volcano Explodes

Italy's Mount Etna Volcano erupted on Monday afternoon, raining ash on the Sicilian city of Catania to the south.

Although lava and ash spewed a plume high into the Mediterranean sky, officials reported that no inhabited areas were threatened. Lava flowed from the volcano's youngest crater, located on its southeastern flank.

Etna is Europe's largest and most active volcano. In 1987, it claimed the lives of nine tourists when they hiked too close to the edge of an active crater.