Etna

Mount Etna is a stratovolcano located on the east coast of Sicily, near the city of Catania. It is widely regarded as Europe’s most active volcano and one of the most active on the planet. Its height varies with eruptions, but it is commonly listed around 3,320 to 3,330 meters above sea level, making it the highest volcano in Europe outside the Caucasus.

Geographically, Etna sits on the convergent boundary between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. The volcano consists of a central summit cone surrounded by multiple flank vents and calderas. Its activity has produced a long sequence of lava flows, ash plumes, and explosive eruptions that disrupt air travel and affect nearby communities.

The eruption history of Etna is continuous and complex, with both effusive lava flows and explosive events. Notable episodes have produced lava flows that reached the sea and caused widespread ash fall. In recent decades Etna has maintained a high level of activity, with periodic summit eruptions and flank eruptions that require ongoing monitoring and emergency planning.

Humans have adapted to Etna’s presence through agriculture, tourism, and scientific study. The surrounding fertile soils support vineyards and other crops, including the famous Etna Rosso wine. Tourism is significant, with guided crater visits, cable cars, and safety-regulated excursions to the higher slopes.

Etna was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 as part of the Aeolian volcanic complex. It is continuously monitored by the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), which provides hazard assessments and alerts for nearby populations and air traffic.