Sizzling Europe

Hailed as the largest active volcano in Europe, Etna is found on the east coast of Sicily. It is about 3,326 high and it is also said to be the highest mountain in Italy south of the Alps.

Etna is also known as one of the most active volcanoes in the world and it is in an almost constant state of eruption. It has fertile volcanic soils which support extensive agriculture with vineyards and orchards that spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and also on the broad plain of Catania to the south. Because of its history of recent activity and nearby population, the volcano has been designated as a Decade Volcano by United Nations.

It was known as Aetna during the Roman times and it is derived from the Greek word aitho which simply means “to burn violently.” Etna’s volcanic activity started about half a million years ago and it had eruptions which occurred beneath the sea off the coastline of Sicily.

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