The volcano on the tiny Sicilian island of Stromboli erupted in a shower of small stones and ash, but the island's few hundred residents were not in any danger, authorities said Friday. Experts were monitoring the activity of the volcano, which erupted late Thursday, The Associated Press quoted Italy's Civil Protection agency as saying. Stromboli, 60 kilometers (40 miles) north of Sicily, is noted for frequent, minor eruptions and attracts tourists keen to see the flow of lava inching down the side of the volcano. It is the northernmost of seven islands in the Aeolian archipelago north of Sicily. Last month, the volcano suddenly spewed lava into the sea, prompting authorities to warn islanders about the risk of a small tsunami. In spring 2003, Stromboli sent hardened lava raining down on some of the settlements on the island's green slopes. A few chunks crashed into houses, but did not cause any injuries. In 2002, Stromboli experienced a rare effusive eruption _ lava flow without an explosion _ its first in 17 years. A few days later, landslides tumbled down an uninhabited slope, crashing into the sea and setting off a tsunami. Stromboli is not the only active volcano in southern Italy, with Mt. Etna in Sicily coming to life every few months.
