Since the summer of 1995, the summit area of Etna is the site of near continuous intense activity which continues as of early 1999 and has involved all four summit craters (Voragine, Bocca Nuova, NE Crater and SE Crater). This activity is notable not only for its intensity but also for the number of eruptive vents and the fact that there has been no flank eruption since March 1993. This is the longest period without flank activity since Etna began to produce frequent flank eruptions in 1971.

In mythology, Etna was identified as the location of the forge of Volcan, home of the Cyclopses, and where the giant Enceladus laid (eruptions being his breath and earthquakes his motion). Etna's beauty, frequent eruptions, and long record of eruptions makes it one of the world's best known volcanoes. With hundreds of papers published on nearly every aspect of Etna's geology it is probably one of the world's most studied volcanoes.

Etna is one of the largest continental volcanoes. The base of the volcano is about 36 by 24 miles (60 x 40 km). Below an elevation of about 9,500 feet (2,900 m) Etna is a shield. The upper 1,200 feet (400 m) is a stratovolcano made of several coalesced vents. Much of the surface of the volcano is covered by historic lava flows. Most eruptive products are made of andesite. The eruption rate of Etna is about one-sixth that of Kilauea.

One of the most dramatic eruptions of Etna was in 1669. Earthquakes began on February 25 and caused great damage in Nicolosi, about 6 miles (10 km) South and East of Catania. The eruption began on March 11 as a 7 mile (12 km) fissure opened from near Nicolosi to Mt. Frumento Supino, 1 mile (2 km) from the summit. Several more vents formed. On April 12 flows arrived at the walls of Catania. Lava rose to the top of the wall and cascaded over. Lava also knocked over a section of was 120 feet (40 m) long. Large parts of the town were destroyed. Lava reached the sea on April 23. The eruption stopped on July 15.

Fatalities are rare at Etna and reported for only 7 eruptions. Typically, people visiting the summit are too close when explosions throw blocks through the air. In 1843, 36 people were killed by a phreatic explosion at the front of a lava flow. Nine people were killed and 23 were injured (150 tourist were in the area) on September 12, 1979, by a 30-second explosion that threw large blocks near the crater rim. Blocks 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter fell 1,300 feet (400 m) away. Two people were killed and 7 others injured by falling volcanic material 1,600 feet (500 m) from the crater in the 1987 phreatic eruption.

© 1999 Freeway
Writers: Katia Peluso, Jasmina.
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