Whether it is called "Vulcan's forge" as in ancient times, "the pillar of heaven" as in Pindar, "Jebel" (mountain) as in the Arabs, or "hell" as in Haroun Tazieff, Etna remains one of the most impressive active volcanoes. Active for about 500,000 years, this majestic natural edifice was formed by two other volcanoes: the Trifolietto, at the site of which, over the centuries, a vast depression more than 5 km wide, with very steep walls, called the Bove Valley, and the Mongibello, which is now almost continuously active. At 3,350 meters high, with an average diameter of 50 km, it is the largest volcano still active in Europe. Etna now has five summit craters: the North-East crater appeared in 1911, the Voragine in 1947, the Bocca Nuova in 1968, the South-East crater in 1971 and the new South-East crater appeared in 2007 at the foot of the old one, and since then has been regularly active. It is this last one that offers beautiful eruptions that make the show from Catania. The Forge of Vulcan remains active, marking the landscape and the history of Sicily. Etna dominates the eastern coast of the island with its grandeur and magnificence. For the locals it is a reference, like a full member of the family, and for vulcanologists, hikers and simple tourists there is more than one reason to come and walk its slopes. Not to mention the wine growers and arborists who exploit the fertility of its volcanic soil. Since the deadly eruption of 1669, which lasted 122 days and poured a gigantic torrent of lava to Catania and the sea, others followed, including the one in 2002 that destroyed the site of Piano Provenzana. In 2004 and 2005 other eruptions took place following which part of the city of Catania was covered with ash and the airport was blocked. Since July 2014, Etna has experienced episodes of activity in different craters. In May 2016, then in March 2017, it erupted again offering from Catania a fascinating spectacle, especially at night when it could be clearly seen spitting fire. Since then it has calmed down, but one thing is certain: when it falls asleep Etna sleeps only with one ear and a light sleep, always ready to wake up as was the case in 2020, but especially in February 2021, with a huge eruption with fountains of lava, and in May and June 2022 the last time. So the Catanese are condemned to evoke Saint Agatha to calm the volcano. The site of Etna, a natural park since 1981, offers a wide variety of routes and excursions (on the volcano, paragliding, hang-gliding but also at night!). You will learn all about its seismic activity in our file on volcanism in the introduction of this guide.

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Pictures and images Etna

Ski sur le mont Etna. michelangeloop - Shutterstock.com
Symbole de la Sicile en lave. Stéphan SZEREMETA
L'Etna, un volcan toujours en activité. Author's Image
Volcan Etna et coulées de ses laves noires. Stéphan SZEREMETA
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