Mount Etna, Italy

Mount Etna, located on the island of Sicily in Italy, is Europe’s most active volcano and has been erupting intermittently for millennia. In February 2021, Etna experienced a series of powerful eruptions characterized by lava fountains and towering ash plumes. These eruptions, while visually stunning, posed significant risks to nearby communities and infrastructure.

The volcanic activity at Etna often results in disruptions to air traffic, closure of local roads, and ashfall on surrounding towns and cities, including Catania. Despite the risks, Etna's eruptions also attract scientific interest due to their potential insights into volcanic behavior and hazard mitigation strategies.