Spectacular footage of Mount Etna volcano bursting back to life

After a long period of inactivity, Mount Etna in Sicily awakened with a spectacular new eruption on Thursday (May 19).

The iconic volcano spewed ash and lapilli into a kilometer-high column.

After a long period of inactivity, Mount Etna in Sicily awakened with a spectacular new eruption on Thursday (May 19).

The iconic volcano spewed ash and lapilli into a kilometer-high column.

Some Italians see this eruption as Etna's bidding farewell to locally born singer-songwriter Franco Battiati, who died earlier this week.