Mount Etna is Europe’s Most Active Volcano. Can You Still Visit During an Eruption?

Here’s everything you need to know about how often Mount Etna erupts and how it affects travel and tourism.

Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, has been making headlines in the last few years thanks to dramatic eruptions.

This week, Catania airport was forced to close temporarily and driving restrictions were put in place following an eruption that spewed ash over the surrounding area.

If you’re thinking of booking a holiday to Catania and eastern Sicily, you may be concerned that volcanic activity could disrupt your trip.

Here’s everything you need to know about how often Mount Etna erupts and how it affects travel and tourism.

How often does Mount Etna erupt? Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in Europe and has been in an almost constant state of activity for the last decade.

There can be eruptions multiple times in a year and even in a month. The current eruption period began in 2013, according to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program.

Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in Europe and has been in an almost constant state of activity for the last decade.Piermanuele Sberni Etna made headlines in 2021 when, over a sixth-month period, it emitted so much volcanic material that it grew in height by almost 30 metres.

This year there have already been multiple eruptions. Websites like Volcano Discovery track Etna's activity in detail and you can watch a live stream of the volcano on the Etna Observatory site.

Most of the time, Etna’s explosions are classed as low-level volcanic activity. This includes ash plumes, lava fountaining and Strombolian explosions - mild blasts of magma which are nonetheless dramatic to observe.

Mount Etna is considered to be a safe volcano - most eruptions do not endanger those visiting or living in the area.

Often, the biggest inconvenience is the ash that carpets surrounding towns during eruptions. This also forces Catania airport to occasionally close as occurred earlier this week and in May this year.

The volcano is under intense surveillance. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology of Catania has a system of cameras, sensors, computers and human controls on site that record and communicate tremors in real-time.

However, on occasion the volcano has posed a threat. In 1928, the entire town of Mascali was wiped out. In the 1990s, surging lava threatened the town of Zafferana Etnea and had to be directed away by digging canals.

Most recently, in 2002, steams of lava destroyed shops, hotels and restaurants in the area of Piano Provenzana.

What’s more, Etna should not be underestimated by visitors hoping to climb its slopes.

Visiting during an eruption is a thrilling experience and some guides organise tours at night especially to marvel at the fiery light show.Piermanuele Sberni

Excursion company Go Etna advises visitors to always go accompanied by a local guide or agency - if you want to hike past the 2,900-metre mark it is compulsory to hire a guide.

They also recommend you notify your hotel or B&B of your route and, if skiing, that you don’t go off-piste.

As volcanic activity is generally at a low level, you can visit the volcano even during an eruption.

There are plenty of hiking routes that steer well clear of the summit and craters where explosions take place.

Visiting during an eruption is a thrilling experience and some guides organise tours at night especially to marvel at the fiery light show.

Volcanic ash is great for your lungs.

Do not be concerned that it contains glass.

2 posted on 09/27/2023 7:42:02 PM PDT by Deaf Smith (When a Texan takes his chances, chances will be taken that's for sure.)

Of course we can visit during an eruption. We are SUPPOSED to visit during an eruption. That is the only way to sacrifice a virgin to the volcano to stop/slow down Climate Change. Does nobody do any research on these articles?

We visited Mt. Kilauea in Hawaii and witnessed its eruption. It was an awesome sight.

You can not only visit, you can stay until an archaeologist digs you up in 2000 years.

Can we throw Greta Thunberg in?

Or is that...... wrong.......?

7 posted on 09/27/2023 8:31:12 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)

We would have to have a vote for it to be . . . right. Okay a show of hands here. All in favor say aye. AYE!!! All opposed. silence. Well, it looks like the vote favors letting her sacrifice her life for Climate Change. It would be what she wanted so it’s a win/win for everyone.

9 posted on 09/27/2023 10:01:45 PM PDT by Olog-hai ("No Republican, no matter how liberal, is going to woo a Democratic vote." -- Ronald Reagan, 1960)

10 posted on 09/27/2023 10:02:25 PM PDT by Olog-hai ("No Republican, no matter how liberal, is going to woo a Democratic vote." -- Ronald Reagan, 1960)

Why would you want to? I mean, other than an impaired desire for self preservation?

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16 posted on 09/29/2023 1:32:02 PM PDT by Olog-hai ("No Republican, no matter how liberal, is going to woo a Democratic vote." -- Ronald Reagan, 1960)

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