Etna volcano
Updated: Mar 28, 2023 10:54 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: erupting (4 out of 5)
Sicily, Italy, 37.75°N / 14.99°E
Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)
Last update: 23 Feb 2023 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
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
| Time | Mag. / Depth | Distance/Location | ||
| Sunday, March 26, 2023 GMT (2 quakes) | ||||
| Mar 26, 2023 3:07 pm (GMT +2) (Mar 26, 2023 13:07 GMT) | 2.0 11 km | 12 km (7.5 mi) 20 km northwest of Giarre, Catania, Sicily, Italy | ||
| Mar 26, 2023 2:50 pm (GMT +2) (Mar 26, 2023 12:50 GMT) | 2.8 10.3 km | 12 km (7.5 mi) 20 km northwest of Giarre, Catania, Sicily, Italy | ||
| Friday, March 17, 2023 GMT (2 quakes) | ||||
| Mar 17, 2023 11:03 am (GMT +1) (Mar 17, 2023 10:03 GMT) | 2.4 27 km | 16 km (9.9 mi) 12 km northeast of Bronte, Catania, Sicily, Italy | ||
| Mar 17, 2023 9:21 am (GMT +1) (Mar 17, 2023 08:21 GMT) | 3.1 28 km | 15 km (9.3 mi) 14 km northeast of Bronte, Catania, Sicily, Italy | ||
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, that dot the volcano in their hundreds.
Etna Photos
Group on a narrow ledge that separates two vents on Etna volcano, Italy. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) |
After having reached its peak, the eruption wanes quickly, but a dense brown ash plume still rises high from the fissure vent. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) |
Perfect steam ring from Etna volcano on 11 Nov 2013 (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) |
Strombolian activity at Etna's SE crater in October 2006. The lights of Catania in the background. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) |
See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS
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 €
Price 3890 €
6-20 Oct 2023
Etna volcano (Italy)
Etna Volcano Special
volcano expedition to see Mt. Etna volcano' eruption
5 days (4 nights) - Moderate
Price 1590 €
Price 1590 €
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 €
Price 2950 €
6-14 May 2023
14-21 May 2023
30 Sep - 8 Oct 2023
