Mount Etna, a stratovolcano located on the eastern coast of Sicily in Italy, has erupted again. The eruption caused light ashfall in the city of Taormina and nearby ski areas.
- Mount Etna, a stratovolcano located on the eastern coast of Sicily in Italy, became active again, releasing glowing lava and a small amount of ash into the air from its northeastern crater.
- Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology stated that winds carried the ash towards the northeast, resulting in light ashfall in the city of Taormina and nearby ski areas. Scientists also reported small explosions from another crater, which sent hot material several metres into the air.
- The regional civil protection agency temporarily raised the alert level as a precaution against a possible lava fountain event. Mount Etna is Europe’s most active volcano, it erupts frequently and is under constant monitoring.
- The Global Volcanism Program at the Smithsonian Institution states that in 2025 alone, there were 56 confirmed volcanic eruptions from 55 different volcanoes.
- As of 17 July, 2025, 44 of these eruptions are still ongoing. This continuous activity is a strong reminder of how dynamic the Earth is.
Mount Etna
- Mount Etna is an iconic site spread across 19,237 uninhabited hectares at the highest part of Mount Etna on the eastern coast of Sicily.
- Mount Etna is the tallest island mountain in the Mediterranean Sea and the world’s most active stratovolcano. The history of volcanic eruptions dates back 500,000 years, and at least 2,700 years of this activity is documented.
- Pacific Ring of Fire (Pacific Oceanic Belt): It is home to more than 90% of the world’s volcanic activity. It includes New Zealand, Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines), Japan, and the western coast of the Americas.
- Mid-Continental Belt: This belt stretches from the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea (Stromboli, Vesuvius, Etna) to the Himalayas.
- Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Here, plates are moving away from each other (divergent boundary), resulting in fissure eruptions. Iceland is a prime example.
- Intraplate volcanoes: These occur within tectonic plates (away from boundaries), such as the Hawaiian hotspot.
Volcano distribution in India
- Barren Island: Located in the Andaman Sea, it is India’s only active volcano.
- Narcondam: It is a dormant volcano.
- Deccan Traps: Result of historic fissure eruptions.
List of the world’s most active volcanoes
- Kilauea - Hawaii, USA, (since 2021), shield volcano
- Stromboli - Aeolian Islands, Italy, (continuous activity), stratovolcano
- Piton de la Fournaise - Réunion Island, shield volcano
- Yasur - Tanna Island, Vanuatu, stratovolcano
- Mount Merapi - Central Java, Indonesia, stratovolcano
- Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki - Flores Island, Indonesia
- Popocatépetl – Mexico
- Sangay and Reventador – Ecuador
- Kanlaon – Philippines
- Barren Island – India
Italy
- A peninsula in southern Europe, shaped like a boot, extending into the Mediterranean Sea, sharing borders with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia, and surrounding Vatican City and San Marino.
- The Alps dominate the north, along with the Apennine mountain range running along its spine.
- It includes major islands such as Sicily and Sardinia.
- Birthplace of the Renaissance (Michelangelo, da Vinci) and opera; inventor of musical instruments such as the piano, violin and cello.
- A global leader in high fashion (Milan) and iconic products such as the Vespa scooter.
Key facts
- Capital: Rome (the Eternal City).
- Currency: Euro (€).
- Language: Italian (with strong regional dialects).
- UNESCO sites: The highest number in the world (e.g., Colosseum, Pompeii, Venice).
- Rome: Colosseum, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain.
- Florence: Birthplace of the Renaissance.
- Venice: Canals, gondolas, unique floating city.
- Pisa: Leaning Tower.
- Naples: Home of pizza, near Mount Vesuvius.
- Milan: Fashion and financial capital
