Etna resucita etna

2002/10/30 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Geologia

In the last 309 years Etna has suffered four major eruptions, the last in 1992. According to the vulcanologists, the eruptions are more and more violent and the latter is no joke.

In addition to being the highest volcano in Europe –3,300 meters high–, Etna is also the most active. Although the volcano has always been known and studied, it is not clear how it arose. The tectonics of the area is very complex and there are several theories that try to explain the origin of Etna.

All scientists know that the volcano is in a hot spot, that is, in an area of great tectonic activity. This can explain Etna's continuous activity.

In addition to the Etna, in Italy there are volcanoes such as Vesuvius and Stromboli. However, both have no relationship with Etna, since they have been generated by very different geological processes.