The most disastrous eruptions in the history of Mount Etna.

Mount Etna, standing tall at over 3,300 metres, is Europe’s most active volcano. Known for its spectacular eruptions, it holds a complex relationship with those who live near its slopes. The volcano’s eruptions present various hazards, from slow-moving lava flows to violent explosions of pyroclastic materials. While Etna’s activity is often manageable, its eruptions have caused significant destruction and even death. This article explores Etna’s main eruptive characteristics, their impacts on the landscape, and some of the most disastrous eruptions in the volcano’s history.

Types of Eruptive Hazards on Mount Etna

1. Eruptive Fissures and Fractures

   – Eruptions on Etna often begin with fissures opening on the volcano’s flanks, creating pathways for magma to reach the surface. This process is accompanied by local earthquakes that impact only the epicentral areas around the fissures. 

   – The danger posed by these fractures is highest for those close to the active regions, such as the summit craters and areas prone to forming parasitic cones. 

2. Lava Flows

   – Lava flows are the most common hazard and affect the entire volcano area, though the risk increases with proximity to the eruption vents.

   – Due to their slow movement, residents typically have time to evacuate, but lava flows cause total destruction of immovable structures in their path.

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3. Pyroclastic Material Ejection

   – Violent eruptions often hurl magma fragments, including volcanic bombs, lapilli, and ash. These materials can be extremely dangerous close to the eruption site and are easily carried by winds to urbanized areas, impacting vehicle traffic, air travel, and causing occasional airport closures.

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4. Pyroclastic Flows

   – Pyroclastic flows move much faster than lava flows, reaching speeds of hundreds of kilometers per hour, leaving complete destruction in their wake. Fortunately, such events are rare on Etna, presenting a lower risk than lava flows.

Notable Etna Eruptions and Their Impacts

122 BCE – Eruption and Tax Exemption

This ancient plinian eruption blanketed Catania in pyroclastic material, causing massive destruction. The Roman government granted a ten-year tax exemption to the city, highlighting the scale of the disaster and the efforts needed for recovery.

1669 – Formation of Monti Rossi and Catastrophic Damage

Etna’s 1669 eruption is one of its most significant events, lasting 122 days and forming Monti Rossi crater near Nicolosi. The lava field covered 40 square kilometers and extended 17 kilometers toward the coast, destroying 15 villages and Catania’s eastern side. Castello Ursino, once on the coast, now stands inland, a permanent marker of the reshaped landscape.

1843 – Explosive Eruption Near Bronte

The 1843 eruption near Bronte began on November 17, forming fissures that erupted with intense pyroclastic activity and lava flows. The flow progressed for a few kilometers, causing widespread destruction to the local farmland and forest areas. An explosion occurred on November 25, as the lava reached a water reservoir. This phreatic explosion tragically killed 59 people who were attempting to protect farmland near the advancing lava.

1928 – The Destruction of Mascali

The eruption of 1928 saw the town of Mascali entirely destroyed. This was the first Etna eruption documented on film, showing the extensive damage to the town’s infrastructure. Fortunately, no fatalities occurred.

1979 – Unexpected Tragedy on Bocca Nuova

The 1979 eruption was marked by a sudden explosion from the Bocca Nuova crater while a group of tourists was visiting the summit area. This event tragically claimed nine lives and injured 23 others, highlighting the difficulty of predicting volcanic behaviour, even in known danger zones.

1983 – First Lava Diversion Efforts

This 131-day eruption devastated ski lifts, cable cars, and other tourism infrastructure. Authorities made the first attempts to redirect lava flow using man-made barriers, marking a new approach to volcanic hazard management.

1991-1993 – Longest Eruption of the 20th Century

Lasting an unprecedented 473 days, this eruption nearly reached the town of Zafferana Etnea. Efforts to block the lava included using concrete barriers and even dynamite. NATO and US forces assisted, and a local bulldozer operator, Rosario “Saro Ruspa” di Carlo, gained fame for building a lava barrier to protect Zafferana.

The 2001 Eruption: Pyroclastic Activity and Ash Clouds on the Southern Flank

The 2001 and 2002 eruptions of Mount Etna were highly destructive, severely impacting the surrounding areas, infrastructure, and the tourism industry on both the southern and northern flanks of the volcano.

In July 2001, Mount Etna erupted explosively on the southern flank, near the popular tourist site of Rifugio Sapienza. This eruption was marked by intense lava flows, heavy pyroclastic activity, and ash clouds that stretched far beyond the island of Sicily. The sheer volume of volcanic ash forced the temporary closure of Catania’s Fontanarossa Airport, severely disrupting air travel for days. Pyroclastic flows and emissions also posed challenges to nearby towns, as ash and lapilli rained down, creating hazards for residents and extensive clean-up needs across the area.

The eruption caused significant damage to the infrastructure at higher altitudes, where tourism infrastructure like parking areas, access roads, and ski facilities were located. Despite attempts to redirect lava flows using concrete barriers, several areas near Rifugio Sapienza were overrun by molten lava. While repairs have been made, the eruption underscored the ongoing challenges and risks associated with developing tourism facilities on an active volcano.

The 2002 Eruption: Destruction of Piano Provenzana on the Northern Flank

The 2002 eruption began in late October and was even more devastating, involving both the northern and southern sides of Etna. Intense seismic activity accompanied the eruption, causing fractures and ground deformations across the northern flank, resulting in the opening of fissures and multiple new eruptive vents. Lava flows poured from these vents, consuming the surrounding forested areas and ultimately reaching the tourist site of Piano Provenzana.

Piano Provenzana, a popular ski and recreation area, faced complete destruction. The lava flows overran hotels, restaurants, and ski facilities, leaving a path of destruction that buried structures and reshaped the landscape. This eruption was marked by high fountains of lava and powerful explosions, releasing plumes of ash and volcanic debris that reached Sicily’s northeastern coast and beyond, creating air quality hazards and further disruptions in air travel. 

The impact of the 2002 eruption was profound. While restoration efforts began, certain areas have yet to regain their former appeal, particularly Piano Provenzana. Infrastructure such as ski lifts and visitor amenities were rebuilt, but the area remains more vulnerable to eruptions and less frequented by tourists than before. The 2001 and 2002 eruptions were a stark reminder of Etna’s power and unpredictability, influencing modern risk management strategies and the design of new protective barriers around the volcano’s vulnerable tourist areas.

2017 – Near-Tragedy with Phreatic Explosion

Here’s the ready-to-copy text with an active link for WordPress:During a routine eruption on March 16, 2017, lava advanced over snow-covered ground at 2,700 meters, causing a sudden phreatic explosion. Close by were BBC journalists, scientists, guides, and tourists. Thankfully, while some were injured, there were no fatalities. Etna 2017 eruption – BBC troop hurt.

Mount Etna, standing at 3,403 meters (± 3 m as of August 2024), is Europe’s most active volcano. Despite its frequent eruptions, it’s often called a “friendly volcano” due to the relatively slow-moving lava flows, which usually allow time for evacuation. Yet, Etna is not without risks, as no volcano is entirely safe. Casualties on Etna have resulted from sudden explosions, lava flows, and even adverse weather conditions. Below, we explore some significant fatal incidents and tragic events from Etna’s history that highlight the ongoing challenges in predicting and managing volcanic hazards.

Key Casualties and Fatal Incidents on Mount Etna

Ancient History

The earliest recorded fatality dates back to approximately 430 BCE, involving the philosopher Empedocles of Agrigento. Legend suggests he attempted to study Etna’s volcanic phenomena up close, possibly residing near its summit. In a tragic turn of fate, it is believed he fell into one of the craters, an accident that has inspired mythological stories surrounding his death.

1536 Incident

In 1536, Dr. Francesco Negri (or Negro) became one of the earliest documented casualties directly caused by Etna’s explosive activity. As he observed the volcano, volcanic debris ejected from the crater struck and fatally injured him. This tragic event underlined the hazards posed by volcanic projectiles, leading to the naming of a crater “Monte Nero” in his memory.

1929: Fatal Explosion During a Celebration

On August 2, 1929, two young men from Piedimonte Etneo, Angelino Samperi and Giovanni Bonaccorso, ascended to celebrate Angelino’s graduation. Tragically, a sudden explosion from the northeastern subterminal crater caught them by surprise, resulting in their deaths. This event served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of volcanic eruptions.

Eruption of September 12, 1979  

One of Etna’s deadliest incidents in modern history occurred on September 12, 1979, when an unexpected phreatomagmatic explosion from the Bocca Nuova crater killed nine people and injured 36 others. The event highlighted the difficulties in forecasting such eruptions, even within designated danger zones, leading to new safety protocols.

Eruption of April 15, 1987  

The Southeast Crater claimed the lives of two French tourists, Danielle Metz and her son Pierre Henry Prevot, due to an unexpected explosion. This incident, along with similar cases, emphasized the inherent risks of summit visits, where minor changes in volcanic behavior can quickly escalate to life-threatening situations.

Incidents from Lava Flows and Explosive Eruptions 

While lava flows are generally slow-moving, they have resulted in fatalities due to unexpected surges and explosions. For example, during the March 19, 1689 eruption, a fiery explosion killed Biaggio Pappalardo and Giuseppe Lo Coco, with others suffering fatal burns and injuries. More recently, in 1843, an explosion resulting from a lava flow covering an underground water source killed 59 people near Bronte. This tragic event remains one of the deadliest on Etna and demonstrates the rare but extreme hazards associated with phreatic eruptions.

Non-Volcanic Fatalities: Falls and Weather-Related Incidents  

Numerous fatalities have occurred on Etna due to environmental hazards, including falls, harsh weather, and lightning. In 1925, a climber, Gino Menza, died after falling in the Valle del Bove. Snow and ice on the mountain have also proven dangerous; in 1976, Antonino Spina died from a head injury after slipping on ice, and later accidents involved hikers who fell into icy channels and ravines.

Severe weather events, including lightning, have taken lives on Etna. For example, in August 1999, an Israeli tourist was struck and killed by lightning near the summit. Lightning fatalities were reported as recently as 2004, affecting both locals and tourists.

Aviation and Work-Related Accidents  

Mount Etna’s activity has also claimed lives among those working or traveling near the mountain. In 1972, a NATO aircraft carrying six U.S. Air Force personnel crashed into the volcano’s slopes. Other incidents involved helicopter crashes, construction accidents, and, tragically, a rescue worker Salvatore Laudani in 2021 who lost his life while aiding hikers.

Lessons and Ongoing Risks  

While technology and predictive measures have improved, Mount Etna remains a challenging and hazardous environment. These historical incidents highlight the risks associated with exploring or working on an active volcano, even with safety protocols in place.