Etna Volcano

Updated: Aug 29, 2025 00:58 GMT - refresh

Complex stratovolcano

Sicily, Italy, 37.75°N / 14.99°E

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Summit height: Currently 3,369 m / 11,053 ft (changing due to eruptive activity and collapse of its crater rims)

Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)

Last update: 27 Aug 2025 (Smithsonian Daily Volcanic Activity Report)

Activity Updates

Eruption from Mt Etna volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

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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Typical eruption style: Effusive (lava flows) and mildly explosive (strombolian) eruptions. Both summit and frequent flank eruptions, the latter seem to be occurring in clusters lasting few to a few tens of years.
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-ongoing (s)

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location
Aug 18, 04:34 am (Universal Time)	1.2 3.5 km	6.2 km (3.9 mi) to the E	5 km W Milo (CT)	Info

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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, which dot the volcano in their hundreds.

Etna Volcano 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)

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Etna volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Etna has had at least 197 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 186 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 45 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Etna volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Etna volcano since around 2000. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Etna can be found on the news page of Etna volcano.

Date	Note	VEI	Deaths	Damage
2022 Nov 27 - ongoing	Summit activity (mostly: Southeast crater complex; intermittent activity at Voragine and NE craters, sub-terminal effusive flank vents) Historical obs./docs.	2
2025 Feb 8 - ongoing (eruption 2022 Nov 27 - ongoing)	Southern base of summit crater complex, SE crater	0			Info
Lava flow from subterminal fissure vent at 3000 m a.s.l. on upper SW flank. Currently approx. 2 km long (12 Feb 2025). Explosive activity (strombolian / ash emissions) from SE crater since 10 or 11 Feb.
2024 Jun 15 ±1 d. - Aug 15 or after (eruption 2022 Nov 27 - ongoing)	Central summit crater (Voragine), sporadic activity at SE and NE crater	3			Info
15 June-4 July: gradually increasing strombolian activity from new vent in Voragine 4 July, 7 July, 15 July, 23 July, 4 Aug, 14-15 Aug: series of 6 violent paroxsyms at Voragine with tall lava fountains, lava flows. During intervals, frequent phases of strombolian activity at Voragine. Occasional ash emissions from NE crater. Occasional weak to moderate intermittent strombolian explosions and ash emissions from NE crater.
2013 Sep 3 - 2022 Jun 17	New Southeast Crater (NSEC) Historical obs./docs.	3
2018 Dec 26 (eruption 2013 Sep 3 - 2022 Jun 17)	Historical obs./docs.	2		very heavy	Info
2018 Dec 26: An overnight earthquake, triggered by Mount Etna's eruption two days ago, caused injuries and damage in Eastern Sicily early Wednesday morning. The volcano has been spewing ash and lava has flowed down its slopes since it began erupting on Monday. (reference #12320) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #12320 National Public Radio (NPR) (2018): Sicily Is Shaken By Earthquake As Mount Etna Erupts Once Again. Published 26 December 2018. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2017 Mar 15 (eruption 2013 Sep 3 - 2022 Jun 17)	Historical obs./docs.	0			Info
2017 Mar 15: Sicily's Mount Etna volcano unleashed an explosion Thursday, hurling molten rocks and steam that rained down on tourists, journalists and a scientist who scrambled to escape the barrage. Ten people were reported injured. The tourists, who were drawn to Etna to observe the spectacle of the active volcano erupting, were caught by surprise when its flowing magma hit thick snow, causing a phreatic explosion that rained rock and other material down upon them. (reference #12005) INGV reported that during the morning of 15 March lava began to flow down the S flank of Etna's Southeast Crater (SEC) - New Southeast Crater (NSEC) cone complex. Activity rapidly intensified at 0800, and by 1000 near-constant Strombolian explosions were generating ash plumes. The lava flow reached the base of the cone and traveled S. By late afternoon the lava was advancing on top of lava flows from the previous eruption. The intensity of the Strombolian activity reached a peak around 1840-1845, and by the evening both the eruptive activity and seismicity gradually diminished. Just before midnight a new lava flow began to effuse from a vent on the S flank of the cone. On 16 March at 1243 a phreato-magmatic explosion occurred at the front of a lava flow where it contacted an area covered with snow. An INGV-Osservatorio Etneo volcanologist was injured in the explosion, suffering minor bruises. A news article noted that about 10 people were injured during the event. (reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #12005 phys.org, Colleen Barry (2017): 10 injured by volcanic explosion on Italy's Mount Etna. Published 16 March 2017. https://phys.org/news/2017-03-explosion-erupting-mount-etna-volcano.html Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2010 Aug 25 - 2013 Apr 27	Bocca Nuova (BN) Historical obs./docs.	3
2010 Apr 8	SEC (South-East Crater) Historical obs./docs.	1
2008 May 13 - 2009 Jul 4	East base of NE Crater (3000-2650 m) Historical obs./docs.	1
2007 Mar 19 - 2009 Jul 4	Bocca Nuova, SE Crater and flank vents Historical obs./docs.	2
2006 Jul 14 - Dec 15	SE Crater & flank vents; NE Crater Historical obs./docs.	2
2005 Dec 16 - Dec 22	Bocca Nuova Historical obs./docs.	1
2004 Sep 7 - 2005 Mar 8	SE Crater, SE flank (3000-2320 m) Historical obs./docs.	1
2004 Feb 12 - Feb 14	Central Crater Historical obs./docs.	1?
2003 Mar 8 ±3 d. - Nov 9	NE Crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2001 Dec 16 ±15 d. - 2003 Nov 9	Central Crater, NE Crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2002 Oct 26 - 2003 Jan 28	NE Rift (3100-1900 m), S flank (2850-2600 m) Historical obs./docs.	3
2002 Oct 28 (eruption 2002 Oct 26 - 2003 Jan 28)	Historical obs./docs.	3		moderate	Info
2002 Oct 28: Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 3. Lava Volume: 3.9±0.7x10⁷ m³. Tephra Volume: 4.5±0.5x10⁷ m³. Eruptive Characteristics: Radial fissure eruption, Explosive eruption, Lava flow(s), Damage (land, property, etc.), Evacuation. Weekly Report 23-29 October 2002: A relatively large eruption began at Etna on 27 October, following a series of ~200 small earthquakes the previous evening... Ditches were dug in an effort to control lava flows, but by the 29th they were completely covered by lava. Authorities also tried to control the flows by having planes douse the lava with water, causing the flows to cool and stagnate, but they continued to travel down the volcano's flanks. Authorities stressed that the popular ski town of Linguaglossa (6,000 residents), located ~15 km NE of Etna's summit, was not in danger of being engulfed by lava flows. As a precautionary measure ~50 residents were evacuated and schools were closed. By the 28th lava flows had destroyed several hotels, restaurants, a ski school, ski lift pylons, and power lines on the volcano's flanks. Ash fell in towns at the base of the volcano. Some streets in the town of Nicolosi, ~15 km S of the summit, were covered with a 5-cm-thick layer of ash. Weekly Report 11-17 December 2002: According to a Reuters news article, a lava flow that reached the Rifugio Sapienza tourist area on the evening of 16 December caused an explosion that destroyed a building and injured 32 people. The article stated that the exact cause of the explosion was unknown. (above from reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2001 Jul 17 - Aug 9	S to NE flanks (3100-2100 m) Historical obs./docs.	2
1994 Jun 17 - 2001 Aug 9	Central Crater, NE Crater, SE Crater Historical obs./docs.	3
2001 Jul 26 (eruption 2001 Jul 17 - Aug 9)	Historical obs./docs.	2		light	Info
2001 Jul 26: Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 2. Lava Volume: 2.5x10⁷ m,sup>3. Tephra Volume: 7.5±0.3x10⁶ m³. Eruptive Characteristics: Radial fissure eruption, Explosive eruption, Lava flow(s), Damage (land, property, etc.). Weekly Report 26-31 July 2001: On 26 July lava from the 2,500 m elevation fissure continued to flow towards Rifugio Sapienza tourist complex, and as of 31 July a cable car base station and a small tourist shop had been destroyed by lava that surpassed constructed earth barriers. (above from reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2001 May 14 (eruption 1994 Jun 17 - 2001 Aug 9)	Historical obs./docs.	3	1	light	Info
2001 May 14: Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 3, Lava Volume: 9.4x10⁷ m³. Tephra Volume: >1x10,sup>8 m³. Eruptive Characteristics: Central vent eruption, Radial fissure eruption, Explosive eruption, Pyroclastic flow(s), Lava flow(s), Lava dome extrusion, Damage (land, property, etc.) Weekly Report 16-22 May 2001: A Spanish tourist who visited the volcano alone has been missing since 14 May and is presumed dead. The remains of her tent were found on 18 May near the rim of Bocca Nuova crater. Local press sources reported that a rescue team found footprints leading from the tent to the rim of one of the two active pits within the crater, but no prints were found leading back from the pit. It is possible that the tourist was standing on the rim of the pit when a portion of it broke loose. (above from reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Etna Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Etna volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Etna began in 2022 and is continuing (as of August 2025).

+How often does Etna volcano erupt?

Since 1500 BC, Etna volcano has had at least 186 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 19 years.
Many eruptions of Etna have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 345 out of 3525 years until now. In other words, Etna has been active at least one in 10.2 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Etna is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Etna volcano at present?

Etna volcano is extremely active: Since 1900, it has been near-continuously active, showing eruptive activity during 121 years out of 126 as of now. The latest eruption is still continuing at present.

+When was the largest eruption of Etna volcano?

The largest eruption of Etna volcano in historic times occurred in 122 BC. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 5 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.

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See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

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Etna Volcano Tours

Naples, Eolian Islands, Etna (Italy)

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Etna volcano (Italy)

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Sicily and Eolian Islands (Italy)

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Etna Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).