Etna’s 1981 eruption: the lava flow that narrowly missed Randazzo
In March 1981, Etna produced one of the most alarming warning signs for people living on its northern flank: thousands of small earthquakes, increasing in both frequency and intensity, showed that magma was rising and fracturing the side of the volcano. On 17 March, a system of eruptive fissures opened at high altitude. Within a […]
Pit Craters on Etna: the craters that form by collapsing
When we picture the crater of a volcano, the image is almost always the same: an explosion firing ash and lapilli into the sky, carving a hollow at the top of the mountain. On Etna, however, there are craters formed in exactly the opposite way — not because something was pushed out, but because the […]
Acitrezza and the columnar basalts: where Etna began
There are places where the history of Etna can be read without climbing to altitude. One of these is Acitrezza, a fishing village facing the Ionian coast a few kilometers from Catania, where the sea has laid bare the volcano’s oldest rocks. Here the columnar basalts emerge from the water like dark stone organ pipes, […]
The Summit Craters of Etna: A Journey into the Heart of the Volcano
There’s a moment, climbing along Etna’s high-altitude trails, when the landscape changes its very nature. The vegetation disappears, the ground turns dark and sandy, the air carries the sharp smell of sulphur. Ahead open the summit craters: the active vents that crown the top of the volcano, at over 3,300 metres of altitude. They are […]
Etna. Pyroclastic Flows
Understanding Pyroclastic Density Currents: A Look at Etna In volcanic regions, one of the most dangerous phenomena is the pyroclastic density current (PDC). These fast-moving flows consist of a mixture of hot volcanic fragments, lithic material, and gases, all pushed down the flanks of volcanoes by gravity. Pyroclastic flows exhibit various flow regimes, from low-density […]
Etna, the 1928 Eruption: A Chapter in Volcanic History
Etna, one of the most active and studied volcanoes in the world, has had a significant impact on Sicilian history and culture. Among its many eruptions, the 1928 eruption has left an indelible mark on the collective memory. In this article, we will explore the characteristics of this eruption, its impact on the local community, […]
Etna: The 1879 Lateral Eruption – The First “Perfect Eruption”
The 1879 eruption of Mount Etna, occurring in an Italy that had only recently achieved national unity, marked a fundamental chapter in the understanding of volcanic phenomena and associated risk prevention. This event is particularly significant not only for its power but also because it generated two simultaneous lateral eruptions on opposite flanks of the […]
Mount Etna Caves: A Journey into the Volcano’s Hidden Heart
Beyond lunar landscapes, active craters, and lava flows, Mount Etna hides a fascinating and still little-known underground treasure: volcanic caves. Carved by lava over thousands of years, these natural cavities offer a unique insight into the volcano’s eruptive activity and tell its history with surprising detail. What are volcanic caves?Mount Etna’s caves, or more technically […]