Mt Etna Volcano - John Seach

Large eruptions of Mt Etna Volcano.

Year
Comments
500,000 years ago Birth of Mt Etna
200,000 years ago Eruptions change from fissure type to central eruptions.
80,000 years ago The Trifolium eruptions.
30,000 years ago End of the Trifolium eruptions.
475 BC Major eruption.
396 BC Major eruption.
1669 One of the greatest eruptions of Mt Etna. Lava completely destroyed Nicolosi and Catania in 18 days. Lava reached the sea.
1811 Major eruption.
1843 Lava flows crossed marshland, causing explosions, and killing several peopl.
1866 Violent eruption which created Monte Gemmellaro.
1892 Long eruption which formed Monti Silvestri craters.
1910 Eruption on SW side of Etna which lasted for 26 days.
1923 Eruption from NE side of Etna, creating a lava flow 11 km long.
1928 An 18 day eruption on the east side of the mountain, creating an 8 km lava flow.
1950-1 Eruption lasting 372 days. Damage caused to vineyards, orchads, and grazing land.
1971 Eruption destroyed the volcano observatory and cable car.
1975-6 Eruption lasting 406 days.
1979 Nine people killed during a summit explosion.
1983 Sapienza mountain hut and cable car destroyed by lava.
1992 successful attempts made to divert lava flows from towns.
1999-2000 Catania and surrounding areas covered with ash. Many spectacular summit eruptions.
2002 Large flank eruption.