File:Etna i Sycylia.jpg

English: The height and southward extent of the ash plume emanating from Sicily's Mount Etna volcano on October 27 are captured in these four image panels from the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR). Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, was revived when a series of intermittent minor earthquakes shook the eastern edge of Sicily and parts of mainland Italy during September and October. The eruption of Etna sent a thick blanket of volcanic ash over much of eastern Sicily, sparked forest fires, and destroyed or damaged hundreds of buildings with lava flows and pyroclastic activities. October 27, 2002, marks the start of the second period of intense activity from Etna in little over a year. The previous period of activity occurred during July and August 2001, during which time MISR also observed extensive ash plumes emanating from the volcano.