About Sicily

Eruptions in Sicily: Are Etna and Stromboli Safe Volcanoes?

These days on the same island, Sicily, two of the most active volcanoes in the world at regular intervals are erupting. In summer, Sicily and the Aeolian Islands are among the most touristic destinations in Europe, and people who have planned a trip to Sicily wonder if Etna and Stromboli are safe, or if it is safe to travel in Sicily. I would like to help you clarify this subject.

Never Trust Media

The media, all over the world, to have more readers and visualizations will tend to use words to effect: hell of fire, evacuation plan, fear, burning cloud, airport closed indefinitely, devastation… These words are scary and damage the image of our island. Always ask who is on site, don’t trust media. Having said that, let’s try to answer this question.

Living Near Etna

I live in a village on the slopes of Etna, and at the moment I write, volcanic ash is falling again (07/07/2024). What happens at this moment in my life while Etna is erupting? Nothing! As for Etna, eruptions are regular. Sometimes they are very weak, sometimes they are more spectacular. If you are in Sicily, enjoy the show safely; the lava destroys cities only in RARE cases of lateral eruptions that last months or years, as in 1669. All or almost all eruptions are summit eruptions. Nobody runs away, nobody runs to safety, NOBODY DIES like in Dante’s Peak ;-). You can then, come to Sicily quietly and also do your excursions on Etna, but only those at low altitude around 2000m. When Etna is undergoing intense activity, it is not possible to hike to the top even with volcanological guides. Local law forbids it. A week ago, you saw tourists, my husband and I included, 200m away from the crater pit erupting. How is that possible? That was a type of activity considered weak, not dangerous, and easily visible, almost “tourist.” A few days later, the same crater began a paroxysm. Since then, excursions to the central crater have been forbidden.

The only problem, which also becomes uncomfortable, is when volcanic ash falls in the airport area of Catania, as it happened two days ago. In these cases, your flight will be delayed or diverted to other airports in Sicily. If you are coming to Sicily these days (July 2024), always check with your airline. Apart from these hardships, Etna does not create any danger, does not cause deaths, and there are no hells of fire but heavenly shows that enchant everyone.

What About Stromboli?

At these moments, the alert on Stromboli is true, it is on red, the maximum level, but everything is under control as it has happened many other times. If you have planned a mini-cruise on the Aeolian Islands, most likely the ships will not sail in the area to see the “explosions in the night” or even will cancel the cruise. Why? Because it is possible that in addition to the characteristic explosions of Stromboli, there may also be effusive activity with lava emission. Stromboli, unlike Etna, is a volcano on a very small island. If the lava reaches the sea, you risk a tsunami. The situation on Stromboli is continuously monitored, and if there are serious dangers, the local authorities will promptly implement the necessary measures.

Are Stromboli and Etna Connected?

No, although they are on the same tectonic plates, the conduits that power the two volcanoes are completely different. There is no relationship.

Conclusion

If you have planned your holidays in eastern Sicily, do not worry. Etna and Stromboli are two of the most guarded volcanoes in the world. There will probably be some discomfort caused by volcanic ash, and you will probably have to renounce some activities, but you will never be in danger.