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Etna Volcano

Updated: Apr 30, 2025 19:29 GMT -
Complex stratovolcano
Sicily, Italy, 37.75°N / 14.99°E
Summit height: Currently 3,369 m / 11,053 ft (changing due to eruptive activity and collapse of its crater rims)
Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)
Last update: 30 Apr 2025 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)
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

Date and TimeMag / DepthDistance / Location
Apr 27, 05:43 pm (Universal Time)
0.6

0.4 km
7 km (4.3 mi) to the NE 1.8 km NW Da I Due Monti (CT) Info
Apr 27, 12:12 am (Universal Time)
0.7

3.7 km
9.9 km (6.2 mi) to the E 7.3 km west of Giarre, Catania, Sicily, Italy Info
Apr 27, 12:02 am (Universal Time)
0.7

2.8 km
8.9 km (5.6 mi) to the E 28 km north of Catania, Catania, Sicily, Italy Info
Saturday, April 26, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Apr 26, 11:03 pm (Universal Time)
1.5

5.3 km
14 km (8.6 mi) to the E 2 km NE Sant'Alfio (CT) Info
Apr 26, 08:53 am (Universal Time)
1.0

7.6 km
13 km (7.8 mi) to the E 4 km N Sant'Alfio (CT) Info
Thursday, April 24, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Apr 24, 03:12 am (Universal Time)
1.2

6.5 km
8 km (5 mi) to the SE 14 km northwest of Acireale, Catania, Sicily, Italy Info
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Apr 23, 08:12 pm (Universal Time)
1.2

11 km
11 km (6.8 mi) to the NE 36 km north of Catania, Catania, Sicily, Italy Info
Sunday, April 20, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Apr 20, 05:50 pm (Universal Time)
2.2

15 km
15 km (9.5 mi) to the W 9.7 km north of Adrano, Catania, Sicily, Italy Info
Saturday, April 19, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Apr 19, 07:57 pm (Universal Time)
1.1

14 km
4.6 km (2.8 mi) to the S 10 km W Zafferana Etnea (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

Significant volcanic eruptions: Etna volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Etna has had at least 197 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 186 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 45 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Etna volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Etna volcano since around 2000. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Etna can be found on the news page of Etna volcano.
DateNoteVEIDeathsDamage
2025 Feb 8 - ongoing
(eruption 2022 Nov 27 - ongoing)
Southern base of summit crater complex, SE crater0
Info
2022 Nov 27 - ongoingSummit activity (mostly: Southeast crater complex; intermittent activity at Voragine and NE craters, sub-terminal effusive flank vents)
Historical obs./docs.
2
2024 Jun 15 ±1 d. - Aug 15 or after
(eruption 2022 Nov 27 - ongoing)
Central summit crater (Voragine), sporadic activity at SE and NE crater3
Info
2013 Sep 3 - 2022 Jun 17New Southeast Crater (NSEC)
Historical obs./docs.
3
2018 Dec 26
(eruption 2013 Sep 3 - 2022 Jun 17)
Historical obs./docs.
2
very heavy
Info
2017 Mar 15
(eruption 2013 Sep 3 - 2022 Jun 17)
Historical obs./docs.
0
Info
2010 Aug 25 - 2013 Apr 27Bocca Nuova (BN)
Historical obs./docs.
3
2010 Apr 8SEC (South-East Crater)
Historical obs./docs.
1
2008 May 13 - 2009 Jul 4East base of NE Crater (3000-2650 m)
Historical obs./docs.
1
2007 Mar 19 - 2009 Jul 4Bocca Nuova, SE Crater and flank vents
Historical obs./docs.
2
2006 Jul 14 - Dec 15SE Crater & flank vents; NE Crater
Historical obs./docs.
2
2005 Dec 16 - Dec 22Bocca Nuova
Historical obs./docs.
1
2004 Sep 7 - 2005 Mar 8SE Crater, SE flank (3000-2320 m)
Historical obs./docs.
1
2004 Feb 12 - Feb 14Central Crater
Historical obs./docs.
1?
2003 Mar 8 ±3 d. - Nov 9NE Crater
Historical obs./docs.
1
2001 Dec 16 ±15 d. - 2003 Nov 9Central Crater, NE Crater
Historical obs./docs.
1
2002 Oct 26 - 2003 Jan 28NE Rift (3100-1900 m), S flank (2850-2600 m)
Historical obs./docs.
3
2002 Oct 28
(eruption 2002 Oct 26 - 2003 Jan 28)
Historical obs./docs.
3
moderate
Info
2001 Jul 17 - Aug 9S to NE flanks (3100-2100 m)
Historical obs./docs.
2
1994 Jun 17 - 2001 Aug 9Central Crater, NE Crater, SE Crater
Historical obs./docs.
3
2001 Jul 26
(eruption 2001 Jul 17 - Aug 9)
Historical obs./docs.
2
light
Info
2001 May 14
(eruption 1994 Jun 17 - 2001 Aug 9)
Historical obs./docs.
31
light
Info
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Etna Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Etna volcano?

+How often does Etna volcano erupt?

+How active is Etna volcano at present?

+When was the largest eruption of Etna volcano?

Latest satellite images

Etna satellite image sat1Etna satellite image sat2
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Etna volcano (Italy)
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Etna Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Etna volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Etna volcano (scale of few kilometers)
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Wed, 30 Apr 2025, 04:08

Etna volcano update: two lava flows from SE Crater's cone

Strombolian activity and the lava flow from the SE Crater last night (image: Boris Behncke)
A new eruptive episode of strombolian activity occurred at the Southeast Crater last night. 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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