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Etna Volcano

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 18:37 GMT -
Complex stratovolcano Currently about 3329 m (changing due to eruptive activity and collapse of its crater rims)
Sicily, Italy, 37.75°N / 14.99°E
Current status: minor activity or eruption warning (3 out of 5)
Last update: 27 Dec 2023 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
Eruption from Mt Etna volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Eruption from Mt Etna volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Mt Etna on Sicily, locally called "Mongibello", is Europe's largest and most active volcano. Its frequent eruptions are often accompanied by large lava flows, but rarely pose danger to inhabited areas. Etna is one of the volcanoes with the longest historic records of eruptions, going back more than 2000 years.

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Typical eruption style: Effusive (lava flows) and mildly explosive (strombolian) eruptions. Both summit and frequent flank eruptions, the latter seem to be occurring in clusters lasting few to a few tens of years.
Etna volcano eruptions: Near continuously active; some major historic eruptions include 122 BC (large Plinian outbursts that created the small caldera of the "Cratere del Piano"), 1669 AD (devastating flank eruption that destroyed 15 villages and part of Catania), 1787 (Subplinian eruption and one of the most spectacular summit eruptions on record - lava fountains reportedly up to 3000 m high).
Eruptions since 1950 (f: flank / s: summit activity): 1950 (s), 1950-51(f), 1955 (s), 1956 (s), 1956 (f), 1957 (s),1960 (s), 1961 (s), 1964 (f), 1964 (s), 1966 (s), 1966-1971(s), 1968 (f), 1971(f), 1972-1973 (s), 1974 (f), 1974-1975 (s), 1975-1977 (f), 1977-1978 (s), 1978 (f), 1979(s), 1979 (f), 1980 (s), 1981 (s), 1981 (f),1982-1983 (s), 1983(f), 1984(s), 1985(s), 1985(f), 1986(s), 1986-1987 (f), 1987(s), 1988(s), 1989(s), 1989(f), 1990 (s), 1991-93(f), 1995(s), 1996(s), 1997 (s), 1998 (s), 1999 (s), 2000 (s), 2001(s), 2001 (f), 2002(s), 2002-03(f), 2004-2005 (f), 2006 (s), 2007 (s), 2008-2009 (f), 2010(s), 2011-2013(s), 2014-18, 2018(f), 2019-ongoing (s)

Latest nearby earthquakes

TimeMag. / DepthDistance / Location
Mar 23, 12:41 pm (Rome)
Mar 23, 10:41 GMT
1.7

0.6 km
14 km (8.6 mi) to the SE Italy, 9.5 km northwest of Acireale, Catania, Sicily 2 reportsInfo
Friday, March 22, 2024 GMT (1 quake)
Mar 23, 12:06 am (Rome)
Mar 22, 23:06 GMT
1.7

34 km
30 km (18 mi) to the W Messina, Italy, 22 km northwest of Adrano, Catania, Sicily Info
Saturday, March 16, 2024 GMT (2 quakes)
Mar 16, 09:28 pm (Rome)
Mar 16, 20:28 GMT
1.9

17 km
8.3 km (5.2 mi) to the W Italy, 9.9 km northeast of Adrano, Catania, Sicily Info
Mar 16, 01:03 pm (Rome)
Mar 16, 12:03 GMT
2.0

20 km
9.1 km (5.7 mi) to the SW Italy, 8.5 km northeast of Adrano, Catania, Sicily Info
Saturday, March 23, 2024 GMT (1 quake)
Mar 23, 03:14 am (Rome)
Mar 23, 01:14 GMT
1.6

5.5 km
7.5 km (4.7 mi) to the W Italy: 9 km SE Bronte (CT) Info
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 GMT (1 quake)
Mar 19, 07:07 pm (Rome)
Mar 19, 18:07 GMT
1.6

15 km
7.5 km (4.6 mi) to the N Italy: 8 km SE Randazzo (CT) Info

Background

Mount Etna, towering above Catania, Sicily's second largest city, has one of the world's longest documented records of historical volcanism, dating back to 1500 BC. Historical lava flows cover much of the surface of this massive volcano, which makes it the highest and most voluminous in Italy. Ever since ancient times, the volcano seems to have been in near-constant activity. It is considered, after Kilauea on Hawaii, the second most active, i.e. productive volcano on earth.
Two styles of eruptive activity typically occur at Etna:
(1) persistent explosive eruptions, sometimes with minor lava emissions, from one or more of the 4 prominent summit craters, the Bocca Nova, Voragine (the former Central Crater), NE Crater, and SE Crater (the latter formed in 1978).
(2) Flank eruptions, typically with higher effusion rates, are less frequent and originate from fissures that open on the volcano's flanks. Such flank eruptions, such as the spectacular recent ones in 2001 and 2002-03 commonly form cinder cones, which dot the volcano in their hundreds.

Etna Volcano Photos

Latest satellite images

Etna satellite image sat1Etna satellite image sat2
Etna Volcano Tours
Naples, Eolian Islands, Etna (Italy)
Volcanoes of Italy - the Grand Tour
15-day study & walking tour to Italy's volcanoes from Vesuvius to Etna
15 days (14 nights) - Easy to Moderate
Price 3890 €
3-17 Oct 2025
Etna volcano (Italy)
Etna Volcano Special
volcano expedition to see Mt. Etna volcano' eruption
5 days (4 nights) - Moderate
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Custom and group dates
Sicily and Eolian Islands (Italy)
From Stromboli to Etna
9-day walking & study tour to Stromboli, Lipari, Vulcano and Etna with our expert volcanologist
9 days / 8 nights - Easy to Moderate
Price 2950 €
18-26 May 2024
3-11 May 2025
12-20 Oct 2024
Wed, 27 Dec 2023, 15:00

Etna volcano (Sicily, Italy) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 20 December-26 December 2023 (Continuing Activity)

INGV reported that a seismic swarm at Etna was recorded during 1508-1517 on 21 December. Coincident with the swarm, light-gray ash emissions rose from Bocca Nuova Crater during 1513-1520 and drifted S, rapidly dissipating. At 0217 on 23 December a strong explosion at SE Crater ejected coarse material onto the flanks and produced an ash plume that was dispersed by wind. ... Read all
Wed, 6 Dec 2023, 15:00

Etna volcano (Sicily, Italy) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 29 November-5 December 2023 (New Activity / Unrest)

INGV reported that Strombolian activity at Etna's SE Crater (SEC) continued during 29 November-5 December. Over the longer period of 19 November-1 December there were over 250 Strombolian explosions counted. Eruptive episodes were quite regular, with episodes lasting 5-15 minutes separated by 60-70 minutes of quiet. ... Read all
Snow-covered Etna volcano with the fresh lava flows from 2002/03
Snow-covered Etna volcano with the fresh lava flows from 2002/03

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