On October 30, the International Space Station's Expedition Five crew was able to observe Mount Etna's spectacular eruption and photograph the details of the eruption plume and smoke from fires triggered by the lava as it flowed down the 3,350-meter (11,000-foot) mountain.

Mt. Etna as seen by crew aboard the space station. Photo: NASA

The wide view -- above -- shows the ash plume curving out toward the horizon, caught first by low-level winds blowing to the southeast, and to the south toward Africa at higher altitudes. Ashfall was reported in Libya, more than 350 miles away.

The lighter-colored plumes downslope and north of the summit -- pictured in the detailed view below -- are produced by forest fires set by lava flowing into the pine forests on the slope of the mountain. The detailed image provides a more three-dimensional profile of the eruption plume.

A stunning view of eruption taken by the station astronauts. Photo: NASA SEE LARGER IMAGE

This was one of Etna's most vigorous eruptions in years. The eruption was triggered by a series of earthquakes on Oct. 27. Although schools were closed and air traffic was diverted because of the ash, no towns or villages were threatened by the lava flow. Both of these images are looking obliquely to the southeast over the island of Sicily.