Sending fire and ash across the Sicilian skyline, this is the incredible moment a crater on Mount Etna erupted for the first time in two years.

The massive volcanic plume came from the Voragine crater in what was its first eruption to reach the surface since 2013.

It is thought that activity started around a month ago with explosions inside the crater that the too small to reach the rim.

A massive volcanic plume is sent across the Sicilian sky after the eruption of a crater on Mount Etna yesterday

The massive volcanic plume came from the Voragine crater in what was its first eruption to reach the surface since 2013

However, yesterday the eruptions grew bigger and were large enough to be seen on the various webcams trained on Mount Etna.

The Voragine was formed inside the volcano's central crater in 1945, with its last eruptive activity dating back two years.

The craters often sees eruptions producing flows of ash and lava at low altitudes.

Volcanic activity has been rumbling inside the crater for around a month but yesterday was the first time in two years an explosion came to the surface

A combination of a thunderstorm and a volcanic explosion combine to create a huge cloud of smoke over Mount Etna

The Voragine was formed inside the volcano's central crater in 1945, with its last eruptive activity dating back to 2013

As these flow down the mountain, they can threaten agriculture, public utilities and transport in nearby towns.

Mount Etna is the tallest volcano in Europe and sees regular eruptions.

It stands at a height of 10,922ft, covers an area of 459 square miles and has a basal circumference of 87 miles.

The craters often sees eruptions producing flows of ash and lava at low altitudes which can affect agriculture and transport

Mount Etna is the tallest volcano in Europe and produces regular low-level eruptions in its craters sending out lava and ash

It has been active for thousands of years, although its first eruption of modern times was thought to be in 475 BC.

It is so well-known it was written about by the Ancient Roman poet Virgil, who called its eruptions a 'roar of frightful rain'.