Rome: Bright lava lit up the night sky on the Italian island of Sicily on Monday as Mount Etna erupted for the first time this year.

The volcano, one of the most active in the world, has been largely dormant for the last two years, but it sprang to life with bright orange lava spewing out high over the Mediterranean island, eventually easing off by Tuesday morning local time.

Catania airport, situated within 50 kilometres of the volcano, remained open, but authorities were tracking the movements of the ash cloud.

Etna, at 3330 metres, is the tallest active volcano in Europe and can burst into action several times a year.

It has erupted at least 50 times in the last 60 years, with the last major eruption in 1992.

Reuters