Guide on Mount Etna Volcano

Active volcanoes are unpredictable and cause sudden eruptions, releasing magma and pyroclastic material from the interiors of the earth. Mount Etna is an example of an active stratovolcano, a conical-shaped volcano built from a layer of hardened lava and tephra. Such volcanoes have a steep profile due to the cooling of the highly viscous lava that does not spread very far. It is located on the east coast of Sicily in Italy within the Metropolitan City of Catania between Messina and Catania. It is considered a Decade Volcano by the United Nations and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in June 2013. The lower slopes of Mount Etna are fertile and used extensively for agriculture, with orchards and vineyards spread across the area.

Description and Structure of Mount Etna

• It is located in the metropolitan city of Catania on the east coast of Sicily in Italy. Mount Etna is one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe, standing at an elevation of 11,014 ft or 3,357 m above sea level. 
• It is spread across 1,190 km and is the largest active volcano in Italy. The south-eastern crater of the volcano is the tallest part of the volcano, and its height increased by 100 feet due to extensive eruptions for 6-months in 2021. 
• The accumulation of lava and pyroclastic materials from the eruption created a rim around the south-eastern crater. The accumulated lava increased the height and created the dome of the active stratovolcano. 
• The records state that the first volcanic activity at Mount Etna occurred 500,000 years ago. The eruption that built up around 170,000 years ago led to the formation of the stratovolcano. 
• It is a popular tourist site and is one of the major attractions of Sicily. It is an all-year destination and famous for hiking, skiing, and cable car rides. 

Geology of Mount Etna

• Mount Etna is located close to the subduction of the African plate, placed under the Eurasian plate. The location makes the volcano a hot spot for eruption and rifting processes. 
• The volcano consists of two edifices. The base is the older shield volcano, and the Mongibello stratovolcano was built on top of the shield due to the flow of high viscous lava.
• The eruptions from the shield volcano started 500,000 years ago, consisting of only basaltic material. The stratovolcano started forming about 35,000 years ago due to the formation of trachytic lava. 

All about Mount Etna and its Area

• For its beautiful and scenic landscape, Mount Etna attracts millions of tourists every year. There have been multiple collapses and eruptions, leading to the formation of craters and calderas. 
• The last collapse occurring 2000 years ago led to the formation of the Piano caldera. It is filled with lava and eruption particles and forms the summit cone of Mount Etna.
• The stratovolcano has steep slopes made from the hardening of the basalt lava flow. It is accessible from both the north and south side. 
• Mount Etna’s North Side is located 1800 meters above sea level. The south side of the volcano is higher. There are cable cars that take tourists to 2500 meters level and a 4×4 bus to 2900 meters beyond which one needs to hike. 

History of Eruptions at Mount Etna 

• Multiple eruptions have occurred, leading to five craters: the Northeast Crater, Voragaine, the Bocca Nuova, and two craters forming the south-eastern crater complex.
• There have been around 60 flank eruptions and innumerable summit eruptions since 1600. The last summit eruption was recorded in February 2021.  
• A devastating Plinian explosion with the ejection of volcanic debris and hot gasses was recorded in 122 BCE, impacting the town of Catania.
• The 11th March 1669 volcanic eruption of Mount Etna was destructive, destroying almost ten villages from the flow of lava. 
• The flow of law from a volcanic eruption in 1928 destroyed a population center. An eruption of a massive column of ash in 2002 – 2003 was scattered as far as 600 km in Libya, south across the Mediterranean Sea. 
• There were intense eruptions between July to December 2006 at Southeast crater, followed by intense lava fountaining again in 2007. 
• The eruptions starting on 13th May 2008 on the east of Mount Etna’s summit crater were followed by 200 earthquakes leading to summit area deformation. 
• A series of eruptions in February 2021 impacted the nearby villages and cities, scattering volcanic ash and rocks. The last major eruption occurred on 11th February 2022. 

Conclusion 

Mount Etna is one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe, with numerous eruptions. Located in the Metropolitan City of Catania on the east coast of Sicily in Italy, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. The active stratovolcano is formed on the ancient shield volcano, with the pyroclastic material, ash and lava eruption almost 35,000 years ago. The south-eastern crater is the tallest point of the volcano and has a summit caldera filled with lava deposition from the past eruptions. It is a popular tourist place with outstanding facilities like cable cars.