Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, is once again commanding attention as its first eruption of 2025 surges into an extraordinary natural spectacle. Since February 8, the Italian giant has been spewing lava and ash from the Bocca Nuova crater, painting the Sicilian skyline in shades of fiery orange and deep black.
But while the eruption has mesmerized onlookers, it has also created a logistical nightmare for local authorities, with air travel disrupted, emergency services stretched thin, and thrill-seeking tourists flocking to the slopes despite the dangers.
Lava Flows Carve Through the Snow, Disrupting Daily Life
The Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reports that the eruption remains at a medium-high intensity, with lava flows extending nearly three kilometers down the volcano’s snow-covered slopes.
By February 20, the lava had reached 1,950 meters in elevation, incinerating vegetation and cutting off the Altamontana ski slope at around 1,800 meters.
Explosive eruptions from the crater have sent ash plumes billowing into the atmosphere, triggering disruptions at Catania Airport, where 32 flights were diverted in just 24 hours earlier this week.
While air traffic has resumed, the Aviation Color Code remains at Red, the highest alert level, as meteorologists warn that shifting winds could send fresh ash clouds drifting over the airport at any moment.
Meanwhile, residents of Catania and nearby villages are dealing with a more down-to-earth consequence—streets, cars, and rooftops covered in layers of volcanic dust.
Today, Mount Etna Erupts in Dazzling Display, Sicily, Italy 🇮🇹 (February 12, 2025
A breathtaking eruption at the base of Bocca Nuova crater illuminated the evening sky, juxtaposed against the moon’s glow, snow-covered peaks, and Strombolian explosions from the southeast crater.… https://t.co/riE0GJ5N5y pic.twitter.com/33cWjDYD76
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) February 12, 2025
A Magnet for Tourists, but a Nightmare for Authorities
Etna’s eruption has become an irresistible draw for adventure-seekers, lured by the surreal sight of molten lava against the icy slopes. Videos of skiers carving past glowing lava flows and hikers inching dangerously close to the edge have flooded social media.
But with an estimated 1,000 visitors per day attempting to get a front-row seat, local authorities are struggling to keep the chaos under control.
On February 16, firefighters had to rescue a hiker who ventured too close to the volatile zone, highlighting the increasing risks posed by “wild tourism.” Salvo Cocina, head of Sicily’s regional civil protection agency, has warned that the crowds are becoming unmanageable, with visitors ignoring safety barriers and parking recklessly on narrow mountain roads, obstructing emergency access.
🚨 What’s happening in Sicily – Italy 🇮🇹 is absolutely extraordinary
Mount Etna is erupting with its summit covered in snow
Here are some explorers skiing between snow and fire!
Unprecedented pic.twitter.com/l83jsBzLul
— Mambo Italiano (@mamboitaliano__) February 13, 2025
In response, the mayor of Adrano has officially banned access to the lava front, using social media to urge tourists to comply with safety guidelines. Despite these measures, conditions remain particularly hazardous at around 1,800 meters, where lava continues to flow.
Civil protection officials and forest rangers have reported difficulties controlling the number of hikers attempting to approach the volcanic activity.
Experts Warn of Potential Steam Explosions
While Etna’s lava is slow-moving, it remains highly unpredictable. Volcanologist Giovanni has cautioned visitors to maintain a 100 to 200-meter distance from the lava flows, warning that the interaction between hot magma (approximately 800°C) and snow could trigger steam explosions. These sudden bursts have the potential to launch incandescent lava fragments into the air, posing a serious risk to those venturing too close.
The combination of falling hot stones, unstable ground, and unpredictable lava surges makes the eruption zone especially dangerous. Civil protection teams continue to monitor the area, urging visitors to follow restrictions and avoid putting themselves—and emergency responders—at unnecessary risk.
A Historic Volcano, a Living Laboratory
Despite the chaos, Mount Etna remains an invaluable subject for scientists. Standing at 3,350 meters, the volcano has erupted frequently throughout history, with records dating back to 425 B.C.. Unlike catastrophic eruptions from other volcanoes, Etna’s slow-moving lava flows rarely threaten inhabited areas, though its frequent activity makes it one of the most studied volcanoes in the world.
Volcanologist Boris Behncke from the Etna Observatory noted that the current eruption aligns with the volcano’s typical sub-terminal behavior, emerging from a fissure rather than a main crater. “It’s Etna doing what Etna does best,” he said, reinforcing the idea that while the eruption is dramatic, it follows a familiar pattern for those who study the mountain.