Etna volcano
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: 18 Jan 2021 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)
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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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), 2020 (s)
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Time | Mag. / Depth | Distance | Location | |
| Mon, 18 Jan 2021 (GMT) | ||||
| 18 Jan 2021 8:18 pm (GMT +1) (18 Jan 2021 19:18:46 GMT) | 2.3 20 km - More | 13 km | 19 km northwest of Giarre, Catania, Sicily, Italy | |
| 18 Jan 2021 4:56 pm (GMT +1) (18 Jan 2021 15:56:17 GMT) | 1.5 8.4 km - More | 1.8 km | 10 Km NW Zafferana Etnea (CT), Italy | |
| 18 Jan 2021 2:58 pm (GMT +1) (18 Jan 2021 13:58:42 GMT) | 2.1 11 km - More | 12 km | 9 km east of Randazzo, Catania, Sicily, Italy | |
| Sun, 17 Jan 2021 (GMT) | ||||
| 17 Jan 2021 10:23 pm (GMT +1) (17 Jan 2021 21:23:29 GMT) | 1.6 3.1 km - More | 3.6 km | 8 Km W Milo (CT), Italy | |
| 17 Jan 2021 5:38 pm (GMT +1) (17 Jan 2021 16:38:20 GMT) | 2.0 16 km - More | 10.4 km | 18 km northwest of Giarre, 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
Etna's paroxysm from Voragine crater on 4 Dec 2015, seen from Cesarò (Photo: Giuseppe Famiani)
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)
View of Etna from Alitalia flight from Trieste to Catania on 21 Apil 2012 (Photo: marcofulle)
Etna volcano tours:
See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8
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