LAVA FLOWS DOWN MOUNT ETNA IN SICILY, 2002-10-27 (photo)

Lava flows down Mount Etna, Europe's highest and most active volcano, as it spews out fresh lava and smoke October 27, 2002 in the latest and most spectacular phase of eruption. Rivers of boiling lava poured down Mount Etna on Sunday, engulfing small buildings and threatening a mountain lodge after a series of earthquakes awakened Europe's highest and most active volcano. Pine trees caught fire almost instantly as the heat of the lava engulfed them and the stench of sulphur filled the air as cracks opened up in the ground, witnesses said. Etna is almost constantly rumbling, but has not produced any serious activity since a series of eruptions in July and August last year, which experts described as one of the most erratic and complex displays in 300 years. It's last major eruption was in 1992. REUTERS/Tony Gentile TG/JDP