Étna

Étna, commonly referred to as Mount Etna, is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, near the city of Catania. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and the highest active volcano in Europe by elevation, though its summit height changes with eruptions.

Geographically, Étna lies near the boundary between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates. The volcano comprises a system of summit craters within a large caldera formed by past collapses. Its altitude is about 3,300 meters above sea level, but the height fluctuates as eruptions build or erode the summit.

Activity and eruptions are frequent and diverse. Étna has a long documented eruptive history, including the 1669 eruption that produced lava flows reaching coastal towns and numerous paroxysmal events in the 20th and 21st centuries with lava fountains, effusive flows on multiple flanks, and ash plumes. The volcano is continuously monitored by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) and other agencies, which issue alerts and notes on evolving conditions. Eruptions can influence air travel and local communities, but they also contribute to the region’s fertile soils.

Protection and context. Étna is part of the Etna Regional Park, established to protect its natural and cultural resources. In 2013, Mount Etna was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding geological processes and ongoing volcanic activity.

Human context. Nearby populations, agriculture—especially vineyards and orchards on lava soils—and tourism are closely tied to Étna, with access to the summit typically regulated for safety.