Mount Etna eruption: Is Sicily still safe to visit when the volcano is active?

Mount Etna lit up the skies over Sicily last night (12 November) after a quiet few months.

One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Etna's dramatic displays are rarely out of the headlines for long.

In August, Catania airport was forced to close temporarily and driving restrictions were put in place following an eruption that spewed ash over the surrounding area.

But there’s no sign that international travel to the Italian island is disrupted on this occasion, despite the awe inspiring photos of billowing smoke and bright red lava.

Meanwhile Iceland has declared a state of emergency over fears of an imminent volcano eruption, which could cancel flights.

If you’re thinking of booking a holiday to Catania and eastern Sicily, you may be concerned that volcanic activity could disrupt your trip.

Here’s everything you need to know about how often Mount Etna erupts and how it affects travel and tourism.

Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in Europe and has been in an almost constant state of activity for the last decade.

There can be eruptions multiple times in a year and even in a month. The current eruption period began in 2013, according to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program.

In 2021, Etna emitted so much volcanic material over a sixth-month period that it grew in height by almost 30 metres.

This year there have already been multiple eruptions. Websites like Volcano Discovery track Etna's activity in detail and you can watch a live stream of the volcano on the Etna Observatory site. 

Most of the time, Etna’s explosions are classed as low-level volcanic activity. This includes ash plumes, lava fountaining and Strombolian explosions - mild blasts of magma which are nonetheless dramatic to observe.

Italy’s National