Seven days have passed since the start of the new eruption of Mount Etna, triggered by a fracture at the base of the Bocca Nuova crater (although fed by the South East conduit), which is affecting the western flank of the volcano. How is the eruptive activity continuing? Initially, a river of very liquid lava had flowed from the initial collapse and had immediately taken a steep descent towards the valley, at a reasonable speed. A week after the event, now, how is it going on?

A “tourist” lava flow?

The lava flow has already traveled over 3 km, slowing down a bit as it reached the plateau between the old crater of 1610 (where the Grotto of Arches is) and Monte Pecoraro, entering a gully currently filled with frozen snow. This means that it is approaching low altitudes, but still very far from towns and villages, and this makes it “within reach of tourists”.

The fact is, the western flank is a less known place compared to the more frequented Etna Nord, Etna Sud and the eastern side of Valle del Bove. Therefore, very few tourists really know the paths on this side of the volcano. In order to reach the lava flow in this particularly cold winter, among other things, you have to walk – for a long time – in high snow.

You enter from the accessible path of the Filiciusa Milia forest and follow the Altomontana track for 5 km until the fork for Grotta degli Archi (Grotto of Arches). At that point, you go up on the right and you can already see the lava clearly… but you still have to walk a long way to reach it.

Dangers and advice

The dangers of going too close to an active lava flow on the snow are linked precisely to the encounter between the very hot fire and the frozen snow. In some deeper points this can cause an immediate (and literally EXPLOSIVE) evaporation of the snow, with the consequent projection of fiery rocks, like bullets, all around. Events like these can surprise even expert people – as happened in 2017 to an expedition of volcanologists injured by a phreato-magmatic explosion.

So the advice is this. ALWAYS approach the lava show in the company of an expert guide – in the sense of an expert of the territory but also of volcanic eruptions. Always follow the advice and warnings of your guide. And even if you are with him or her, stay at a safe distance from the fire. If you know the territory well and are able to climb up to the lava front alone,  IN ANY CASE ALWAYS keep about 50 meters from the burning rocks which, remember, can suddenly roll and take slopes that accelerate their fall.

The best idea…

The best idea is to get close enough to the lava and use, to enjoy the show, a camera with an excellent zoom or a photographic drone. The spectacle of this eruption can also be enjoyed from towns such as Belpasso, Bronte, Paternò and Ragalna. (ALL THE PHOTOS IN THIS ARTICLE BY GIOVINSKY AETNENSIS)