Two lava flows east and south of Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, appear extremely prominent in satellite imagery.
The European Space Agency (ESA) Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite sent a photo of the Etna volcano in Italy on February 21. The photo is processed with infrared light, which makes the lava lines stand out in bright red. In addition to the lava, the photo clearly shows the ash flowing towards the nearby town of Catania.
According to ESA, the eruption of February 16 was very strong with lava columns rising 700 meters high. The first explosion created a stream of lava that flowed east of the mountain. A few days later, the second largest explosion created a flow of lava flowing south. Both can be seen in satellite imagery.
Today’s satellites are effective tools for monitoring volcanoes and the effects of large eruptions. “When volcanoes start to erupt, optical and radar instruments can record many associated phenomena, including lava flows, landslides, cracks and earthquakes,” says ESA.
Etna is higher than 3300 m and is the most active volcano in Europe. The mountain has been in activity for about 500,000 years. Etna’s first recorded eruption occurred in 425 BC.
