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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.
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)
Etna webcams / live data | ReportsVolcano videosBooksPlaces to stay
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 (s)
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.
Last earthquakes nearby
Etna volcano tours Volcanoes of Italy - the Grand Tour (15-days study & walking tour from Vesuvius to Etna) Etna Trekking Tour (private and group tours to Etna volcano with a mountain guide) Etna Volcano Special (volcano expedition to see Mt. Etna volcano' eruption) Etna Discovery (8-days hiking & study tour on Mt. Etna volcano, Italy) From Stromboli to Etna (9-day walking & study tour to Stromboli, Lipari, Vulcano and Etna with our expert volcanologist)
Latest satellite images  Sentinel hub | Landsat 8
Most recommended:
The best place to stay near Mt Etna is no doubt the Corsaro hotel, located a few 100 m from the cable car station at La Sapienza cable car station on Etna South: Hotel Corsaro
more on Etna volcano... 
Etna volcano updates and eruption news:
Etna volcano update: New paroxysm with lava flow into Valle del Bove
Thu, 14 May 2015, 22:36 22:36 PM | BY: T  Strombolian activity and the lava flow this morning (14 May) (photo: Emanuela / VolcanoDiscovery Italia)  Ash plumes from the New SE crater this morning (photo: Emanuela / VolcanoDiscovery Italia)  Current tremor signal (ESLN station / INGV Catania)  Lava flow and strombolian activity this evening
A new paroxysm is occurring at the volcano. Increasing near-continuous strombolian eruptions occur from the summit vent of the New SE crater and a lava flow is issuing from a vent at its eastern base into Valle del Bove. Tremor is still rising.
After the onset of mild strombolian activity on 12 May, activity first decreased during the night 12-13 May and then started to rise again gradually. Early in the morning (between 06:11-06:23 local time), an effusive fissure opened on the eastern flank of the cone, from where a lava flow emerged. Accompanied by violent collapse events, triggering small pyroclastic flows, the fissure enlarged during the morning and lava effusion increased. At the same time, explosive activity at the summit vent continued intermittently.
During the night 13-14 May, the activity - both effusive and explosive - significantly gained strength and tremor continued to rise. By the morning of 14 May, a second effusive vent opened below the first one at the base of the cone, and the lava flow had a length of approx. 1.5 km and had passed Monte Simone in the northern part of Valle del Bove.
During the day until the evening, activity has continued to increase slowly. Strombolian explosions have been merging into low, pulsating fountains and the lava flow has extended more than 4 km by now.
Previous news
Strombolian activity began again today at the New SE crater. Accompanied by rising tremor, this activity is increasing at the moment. read all
A short sequence of seismo volcanic events occurred a few hours ago ended with two ash explosions at the Bocca Nuova Crater. ... read all
More details start to emerge about the new eruptive phase. Strombolian activity from the SE crater accompanies important lava effusion, feeding an impressive lava flow. ... read all
The new eruptive phase continues. Dense cloud cover has prevented detailed observations, but from occasional clearings and other observations, it seems that the intense strombolian eruptions are going on from a vent between the old and New SE crater, feeding a lava flow, at least 2.5 km long onto the southwestern slope. read all
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