Watch the dramatic moment the Italian volcano erupts, spewing plumes of molten lava into the sky

DRAMATIC footage shows the moment huge fountains of lava were released into the sky as a volcanic eruption rocked Italy.

Plumes of smoke and molten rock could be seen erupting into the sky below the surface of the mountain.

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The volcanic explosion was recorded at 4:10 pm local time on the island of Stromboli, off the north coast of Sicily.

The video, filmed from the helicopter, showed large clouds of ash rising from the crater.

The magma would be coming out of an opening 700 meters above sea level, in the northern region of the mountain.

The volcano’s activity led to a pyroclastic flow – a turbulent avalanche of hot water gas and volcanic matter – driving forcefully towards the water.

The horrific clip reveals the moment hot rock fragments entered the Tyrrhenian Sea, sending a tower of ash skyward.

The fast-moving stream of fragmented lava advanced toward the coast, crossing the sea several hundred meters from the shore.

Lava is believed to be flowing along the Sciara del Fuoco depressionwhich is a popular tourist attraction on the island.

The magma is also said to have emerged from a new fissure beneath the crater.

This could mean the eruption could last several days or longer, according to Volcano Discovery.

In August 2014, a similar eruption on Sciara lasted ten days non-stop.

It comes after Brits traveling to Italy were given new travel advice after the country was hit by its “strongest earthquake in 40 years”, right next to a volcano.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated its advice for anyone traveling to southern Italy after an area near Naples recorded an increase in seismic activity.