Etna volcano, Sicily - introduction
The Etna, in the eastern part of Sicily,
is the highest active volcano in Europe. The
Etna is about 3,340 metres high (the Etna’s
height changes slightly all the time, because
of the volcanic activity) and has a diameter
of about 45 km. The Etna is also called in Sicily
Mongibello, from the Italian monte, meaning
mountain and the Arabic jebel, which also means
mountain.
The slopes of the Etna host many villages,
especially on the Etna’s eastern and western
sides and are cultivated (mainly with orchards
and vineyards, which grow well thanks to the
extremely fertile volcanic soil) up to 1,000
metres altitude. However, above this level there
are no villages as the likelihood of eruptions
reaching above 1,000 metres is higher. On the
Etna’s slopes, above 1,000 metres there
is barren black volcanic stone, called ‘sciara’,
especially on the western side, while the northern
side of the Etna volcano is richer in trees
and woods.
Mount Etna volcano eruptions
The Etna erupts regularly; its eruptions usually
start at about 3,300 metres and end at about
2,000 metres of altitude ending up in the big
caldera called ‘Valle del Bove’
(the Ox Valley),  which
is 1,000 metres deep and 5,000 metres wide.
Etna’s eruptions usually destroy the territory
they cover, but they are not dangerous for people’s
lives because they are usually effusive at lower
altitudes, and there is plenty of time to evacuate
should an eruption head towards a village.
The worst Etna eruption was in 1669, when the
lava reached and surrounded Catania. The first
time the authorities tried to deviate the course
of the lava using explosives, it was during
the 1983 eruption, while in 1991, as the lava
was heading towards the village of Zafferana,
a 20 metres soil barrier was created, which
contained the lava.
Skiing on the Etna, Sicily
Above 1,500 on the Etna in winter it snows,
therefore it is possible to ski there. The peculiarity
of skiing on the Etna is that it is possible
to ski down the slope of a mountain, while at
the same time enjoying the marvellous view of
the Mediterranean Sea. There are two main ski
resorts, one on the southern slopes of the Etna,
the Rifugio Sapienza, and another on the northern
side, called Piano Provenzana. Both ski resorts
have been destroyed in the past, following Etna
eruptions, but they have always been rebuilt.
The Etna National Park, Sicily
On the Etna there is a Natural Park, which
was established in 1987, in order to protect
the  Etna’s
unique natural environment. The Etna National
park measures 59.000 hectares and it is divided
into various level of preservation, from the
areas where nature is completely preserved in
its original state, to areas where there human
economical activities are allowed, as long as
they respect the environment. The city councils
whose territories are part of the protected
area are twenty and they are: Adrano,Belpasso,
Biancavilla, Bronte, Castiglione di Sicilia,
Giarre, Linguaglossa, Maletto, Mascali, Milo,
Nicolosi, Pedara, Piedimonte Etneo, Ragalna,
Randazzo, Sant'Alfio, S. Maria di Licodia, Trecastagni,
Viagrande, Zafferana Etnea.
Excursions and trips on the Etna volcano near
Catania
On the Etna there are many attractions to visit
such as caves, trails, old craters and it is
also possible to go and see an eruption, as
long as within safety distance.
You can go by car or by coach up to the Rifugio
Sapienza (1,910 metres of altitude) or Piano
Provenzana (1,810 m). If you wish to go further
you can go by jeep or on foot, but always with
an authorised guide as it can be dangerous if
you do not know where you are going; also, there
are limits to how close you can get to active
craters. There are various agencies that organise
excursions on the Etna by jeep or on foot.
Mount Etna – getting there
In order to get to the Etna, the best way is
reaching the city of Catania first. See our
getting to Sicily page
on how to reach Catania. Then, you can rent
a car and drive to Sicily,
or ask an agency for an organised tour by coach.
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