Mt. Etna erupts

One of the most active volcanoes in Europe, Mount Etna, on the Italian island of Sicily, began explosively erupting in late February, spewing lava and ash into the air. Etna often emits steam and ash, but explosive eruptions and lava flows are more uncommon.

On March 16, group members on a guided tour of the mountain, including a news crew led by a vulcanologist, were struck by super-heated rocks after a lava flow came into contact with snow, causing a steam explosion. Some members of the group suffered minor burns and lacerations. 

The group’s enclosed snow tractor, which took them up the mountain, was also damaged in the blast. The group was evacuated by rescue workers.