🌋VolcanoAtlas

Mount Etna

Europe's Tallest and Most Active Volcano

Elevation

3,357 m

Last Eruption

2022–2025 (ongoing)

Type

Stratovolcano(es)

Country

Italy

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskHigh
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity-20219999 years agoVery RecentCurrently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

INGV Observatory
National Institute of Geophysics
Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Active
Recent volcanic activity detected. Continuous monitoring in place.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database

Related Volcanoes

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a view of a mountain with a house on top of it

Omri D. Cohen

via Unsplash

a hill with a flag on top of it

Vincenzo Castro

via Unsplash

An aerial view of a crater in the middle of a mountain

Aron Marinelli

via Unsplash

A mountain with a cloudy sky in the background

Aron Marinelli

via Unsplash

A view of a mountain with clouds in the sky

Aron Marinelli

via Unsplash

a snow covered mountain with a rock outcropping in the foreground

Vincenzo Castro

via Unsplash

Other Volcanoes in Italy

Interesting Facts

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Etna's 170 recorded eruptions make it the most active stratovolcano in Europe and one of the top three most active volcanoes in the world, rivalled only by Kilauea and Piton de la Fournaise.

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The volcano's name in Sicilian dialect — Mungibeddu — literally means 'Mountain Mountain,' combining Latin 'mons' with Arabic 'jabal,' a tautology reflecting Sicily's layered linguistic history.

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Etna's base covers approximately 1,190 km² (460 sq mi) with a volume of 350 km³ — making it the most massive volcano in Italy and roughly 2.5 times the volume of Mount Fuji.

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The 1669 eruption produced approximately 950 million m³ of lava — enough to fill approximately 380,000 Olympic swimming pools — and sent flows 15 km downhill to breach Catania's city walls and enter the sea.

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Etna emits 2,000–5,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide per day during active phases, making it one of the largest persistent volcanic SO₂ sources on Earth.

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The 1991–93 eruption prompted the most successful large-scale lava diversion in history, using helicopter-dropped concrete blocks and controlled explosions to save the town of Zafferana Etnea.

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Etna is one of the few volcanoes in the world where you can ski in winter — the Etna Nord and Etna Sud ski areas operate on the upper slopes at 1,800–2,600 m elevation.

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The Bronte pistachio, grown exclusively on Etna's western flank and protected by DOP status, is considered the finest pistachio in the world and commands prices 3–5 times those of ordinary pistachios.

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Etna's summit height changes measurably with eruptions: summit-building eruptions can add tens of metres, while collapses can remove them. The current official height of 3,357 m is approximate and subject to revision.

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During intense paroxysms in 2021, lava fountains from the New Southeast Crater exceeded 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in height — higher than the Burj Khalifa — and were visible from across eastern Sicily.

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The Valle del Bove, a 5 × 10 km horseshoe-shaped depression on Etna's eastern flank, has cliffs up to 1,000 m high and serves as a natural catch basin protecting eastern-flank towns from many summit lava flows.

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Etna was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, recognising its role in shaping Mediterranean mythology, its extraordinarily long eruptive record, and its importance to the history of volcanology.

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The Greek word 'volcano' itself traces its origins to the Mediterranean volcanic islands near Etna: 'Vulcano' in the Aeolian Islands was named for Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mount Etna still active?
Mount Etna is not merely active — it is currently erupting. As of early 2025, eruptive activity at the Southeast Crater has been ongoing since November 2022, and the volcano has been in a state of near-continuous eruption since 2013. Etna is the most active volcano in Europe by every measure: it has 170 recorded eruptions spanning over 8,000 years, and has erupted in some capacity in nearly every decade of the past four centuries. The INGV Osservatorio Etneo in Catania continuously monitors the volcano using seismometers, GPS, gas sensors, and video cameras. Between eruptions, the volcano typically continues to exhibit fumarolic activity, low-level seismicity, and degassing from its four summit craters.
When did Etna last erupt?
Etna's most recent eruptive phase began in November 2022 at the Southeast Crater and continues through 2025, rated VEI 2 by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. This activity followed a particularly vigorous period of paroxysmal eruptions at the New Southeast Crater from September 2013 to 2022 (VEI 3), which included dozens of episodes of spectacular lava fountaining, Strombolian explosions, and lava flows. In practical terms, Etna rarely 'stops' erupting for long — the question is not whether it is erupting, but which crater is active and at what intensity. The most recent highly impactful activity was the paroxysm series of February–April 2021, which produced lava fountains exceeding 1,000 m and caused repeated closures of Catania Airport.
How tall is Mount Etna?
Mount Etna's summit stands at approximately 3,357 m (11,014 ft) above sea level, making it the tallest active volcano in Europe and the highest peak in Italy south of the Alps. However, Etna's height is not fixed: it changes measurably with eruptions. Summit-building eruptions add material through lava flows and tephra accumulation, while explosive events and collapses can remove tens of metres. The Northeast Crater was long Etna's highest point, but the rapidly growing New Southeast Crater has at times rivalled it in elevation. For comparison, Etna towers over every other active European volcano: Vesuvius reaches only 1,281 m, Stromboli 924 m, and Iceland's tallest volcano, Öræfajökull, 2,110 m.
What type of volcano is Etna?
Etna is classified as a stratovolcano (composite volcano), though the Smithsonian GVP lists it as 'Stratovolcano(es)' — the plural reflecting its complex multi-vent structure. A stratovolcano is built from alternating layers of lava flows and pyroclastic deposits, creating a steep-sided conical profile. However, Etna is unusual among stratovolcanoes: its magma is predominantly basaltic (specifically trachybasalt and tephrite basanite), which is more typical of shield volcanoes. This basaltic composition means Etna's eruptions are generally more effusive and less explosively violent than those of classic andesitic-dacitic stratovolcanoes like Vesuvius or Mount St. Helens, though Etna has produced rare VEI 5 explosive eruptions. The volcano's underlying structure includes an older shield volcano phase, with the modern Mongibello stratovolcano built atop it.
Is Etna dangerous?
Etna poses a moderate to high level of danger. Approximately 1 million people live on or near its flanks, including the city of Catania (population ~300,000) just 30 km to the south. The primary hazard is lava flows from flank eruptions, which have historically destroyed villages (most recently Mascali in 1928) and threatened towns (Zafferana Etnea in 1991–93). Tephra fall can damage crops, collapse roofs, and disrupt aviation — Catania Airport has been closed repeatedly during active phases. However, Etna's basaltic lava flows generally advance slowly enough for evacuation, making fatalities rare in modern times. The volcano is far less explosively dangerous than Vesuvius, whose pyroclastic flows can kill without warning. The most significant modern risk is economic: prolonged eruptions can devastate agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure across eastern Sicily.
Can you visit Mount Etna?
Yes, Etna is one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes, welcoming approximately 1 million visitors per year. From the south side, the Funivia dell'Etna cable car ascends from Rifugio Sapienza (1,910 m) to approximately 2,500 m. From there, authorised 4×4 vehicles and certified alpine guides lead excursions to approximately 2,900 m — within sight of the active summit craters. Independent hiking is permitted up to 2,900 m on the south and 2,400 m on the north (Piano Provenzana approach). Access to the summit zone above 2,900 m requires a guide during active periods. The cost for a guided summit excursion is typically €90–120. Best visiting seasons are May–June and September–October. Etna Regional Park also offers extensive lower-elevation trails through lava caves, birch forests, and historic lava flows.
How often does Etna erupt?
Etna erupts more frequently than any other volcano in Europe. Since the 17th century, the average interval between eruptions has been approximately 1–3 years, and in the 20th and 21st centuries, Etna has been in eruption more often than not. The 19th century saw 30 eruptions, and the 20th century 33. Since 2013, the volcano has been in essentially continuous eruption. Summit eruptions (Strombolian explosions and lava flows from the four summit craters) are far more frequent than flank eruptions, which occur roughly every 5–15 years and typically pose a greater threat to populated areas. The volcano's 170 total recorded eruptions across approximately 8,000 years represent one of the longest and most complete eruption records of any volcano on Earth.
What is the biggest eruption of Etna?
Etna's largest known eruptions were two VEI 5 events: one approximately 1500 BCE and another in approximately 122 BCE. The 122 BCE eruption is the best-documented, producing a powerful explosive eruption column from the summit and southern flank that generated massive tephra deposits. Ashfall buried the Greek colonial city of Catania (Katane) so heavily that residents were reportedly exempted from Roman taxes for a decade. The eruption formed the Cratere del Piano summit caldera. In terms of lava volume, the 1669 eruption was the most productive in historical times, ejecting approximately 950 million m³ of lava that flowed 15 km to breach Catania's walls and enter the sea. The most explosive modern eruption was the VEI 4 event of 1787.
Is Etna bigger than Vesuvius?
Yes, dramatically so. Etna is far larger than Vesuvius by every physical measure. Etna rises to 3,357 m (11,014 ft) — nearly three times Vesuvius's 1,281 m (4,203 ft). Etna's base covers approximately 1,190 km² compared to Vesuvius's roughly 480 km², and Etna's estimated volume of 350 km³ dwarfs Vesuvius. Etna also erupts far more frequently (170 recorded eruptions vs 61). However, Vesuvius is considered more dangerous because its magma is more gas-rich and silica-rich, producing far more explosive eruptions (Plinian events with pyroclastic flows), and it sits closer to a much larger population — 3 million people are within Vesuvius's hazard zone compared to approximately 1 million for Etna. The two volcanoes represent fundamentally different eruption styles despite both being Italian stratovolcanoes.
Why is Etna a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Etna was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 under natural criteria, recognising it as one of the most iconic and scientifically important volcanoes on Earth. UNESCO cited Etna's nearly 3,000-year documented eruption history — one of the longest in the world — its role in shaping Mediterranean mythology and the development of volcanology, and its outstanding geological and ecological value. The inscription covers a core area of 19,237 hectares on the upper slopes, within the larger Etna Regional Park (59,000 hectares). Etna's eruptions have influenced human thought about volcanoes since antiquity: Greek myths of Typhon and Hephaestus' forge were inspired by its activity, and it was among the first volcanoes to be scientifically studied during the Enlightenment.