Is it possible to see the eruptions of Etna?

Types of eruptions

Etna's eruptions are usually of two types: explosive or effusive. Explosive eruptions are eruptions with activity of the type strombolian, that is, with the emission of gas and lapilli from summit craters or from lateral craters (flank eruptions). Effusive eruptions are instead characterized by the emission of lava, often from a lateral fracture, and the formation of a lava flow.

Most eruptions do not pose any danger to the population and inhabited centers. In these cases we almost speak of "tourist" eruptions that only offer a great show. Etna can erupt even several times a year from the summit craters and on average develops impressive and long-lasting flank eruptions every ten years. Examples of this are the last large eruptions of 2001 and 2002 that devastated the ski slopes and the Etna cable car, of 1991/93 inside the Valle del Bove, of 1983 still on the cable car, of 1981 that almost reached the town of Randazzo.

Destructive eruptions…

And then there are the eruptions that in a past, not too distant from us, reached the inhabited centers damaging them. The most recent of these are the eruption of Mascali in 1928 that devastated almost the entire town, the eruption of Lunguaglossa in 1923 and that of Belpasso in 1910. Among the most impressive to remember is the eruption of 1669 that reached Catania because the eruptive mouth developed at only 800 meters above sea level, near the Monti Rossi.

HIKING NOTES: Regardless of the type, observing a lava flow live is a truly unique emotion. In the presence of active eruptions we organize excursions to see this extraordinary natural phenomenon up close (and in safety...). See Etna Lava Tour