Etna’s latest eruption, which began on August 6th and is still ongoing, has become the undisputed spectacle of the summer in Sicily. What seemed like “the usual paroxysm” has now expanded, with two lateral fractures opening at lower altitudes and several rivers of lava flowing rapidly down the valley. Almost five days after the event, how is the situation evolving? Are there any dangers? What advice can we offer?
Eruption updates
The latest statement from INGV volcanologists states:
“Continuation of intense and continuous explosive activity at the Voragine crater, with bomb fallout in the summit area and abundant ash emission dispersing in a SSW direction. The vents at 2,750 m and 2,360 m are active and are feeding various flows that form complex lava fields. The most advanced active fronts are located at an altitude of approximately 1,500 m, at the base of the north wall of the Valle del Bove (Mount Rinatu area).
Since the last update, the average amplitude of the volcanic tremor has remained high, although it remains in the lower part of the belt. The 
centroid of the sources, after temporarily shifting (from approximately 18:15 UTC yesterday) to an area between the Voragine and Northeast craters, at approximately 2,400-2,700 meters above sea level, has been detected. altitude, since 06:30 UTC this morning, it has returned to the Voragine crater area, at approximately 3,000 meters above sea level.
Infrasonic activity, after a phase of high levels reached late yesterday evening, has remained at medium-high levels since the early hours of today. Infrasonic events are localized in the Voragine crater area with medium amplitudes and, especially in the last few hours, high amplitudes. Signals from the GNSS monitoring network show no significant variations”.
In summary…
In short, this means that the eruption is continuing at a high rate. After an apparent slowdown, with a decrease in tremors and lava emissions, a new surge occurred on the morning of August 10th. Voragine has begun to degas and expel ash columns again, so much so that Catania airport had to be closed again.
The lateral flows are quite powerful and lively, and naturally create a spectacle that attracts photographers and onlookers from all over Sicily… and beyond. They’re low-lying but still pose no threat to residential areas and can be reached only by complex routes. But this very marvelous display of nature is causing a phenomenon that’s far less pleasant to see… and manage: overtourism.
When tourism goes too far: how to manage “mass trends”?
Overtourism , or iper-tourism, is a situation in which a destination receives more visitors than the territory, the environment, and the local population can sustain without suffering negative consequences. In recent decades, international tourism has grown enormously, thanks to greater ease of travel, the spread of low-cost airlines, the growth of online booking platforms, and the ability to organize trips quickly and easily. Above all, the spread of social media and the rapidity with which photos and videos are uploaded fuels a desire to emulate and imitate, which too often borders on rudeness.
Overtourism can manifest itself in various ways. One of the most obvious is the overcrowding of public spaces: streets, squares, beaches, museums, and monuments can become excessively crowded, especially during the high season. This phenomenon can reduce the quality of the tourist experience and, at the same time, make the daily lives of residents more difficult. The consequences of overtourism also affect the environment. An excessive number of visitors can lead to increased waste production, water and energy consumption, and transportation-related emissions. Fragile ecosystems, such as coastal areas, mountains, and natural parks, can be damaged by the constant flow of people.
To manage overtourism, it is first necessary to understand a destination’s capacity. Administrations can collect data on visitor numbers, annual flows, transportation, and environmental impact. This information allows them to identify the times and places most affected by overcrowding and implement targeted interventions. Controlling flows is essential, with barriers, surveillance, and even ticketing. There is no one-size-fits-all solution: regulation, planning, innovation, sustainable mobility, and awareness-raising are necessary.
Overtourism during Etna’s eruptions
The woman walking through the lava desert in an elegant dress, the children running on volcanic rocks in open sandals, the influencer leaning too far into the lava flow to make a “cool video”, the group selfies next to burning rocks… these are just a few dramatic, real-life examples of how people behave during the eruption of a volcano like Etna. Every photo attracts more onlookers, and quickly the dangerous scene of an eruption becomes like a stadium during a rock concert! Crowds, rudeness, disregard for rules… these things are generally intolerable, especially during an active lava front.
This inevitably leads to drastic measures that ultimately keep everyone away: the stupid as well as the true enthusiasts. Managing overtourism on Etna requires collaboration between institutions, tourism businesses, citizens, and visitors. Tourists must be informed about responsible behavior, such as respecting the environment, avoiding unnecessary waste, and following local regulations. Instead, governments must involve residents in decisions, because a tourist destination can only be considered truly sustainable if it remains a livable place for its residents. This latest eruption is creating a spectacle unseen in a long time, and therefore curiosity is normal. But the tragedy of overtourism is that we don’t “storm” places for the sake of seeing them… just to be able to say: I was here and you weren’t. With an active volcano, this game can be costly! You better avoid it!
Respect for Etna
Our ancestors, but also our grandparents, got close to the lava, almost touching it. Many of them took it to create artistic objects, literally touching the magma. Our fathers took us to the lava front to watch the spectacle… and it wasn’t necessary to implement all these safety measures.
Because those who live near a volcano know they must respect it. And they teach their children to do so. Our parents approached Etna with fear, humility, and sensitivity, fully aware that nature is master... and not the other way around. They, too, took photos, but one was enough, maybe three or four. They, too, experienced the joy of saying “I was there” but they did so with admiration for the volcano… and on tiptoe. (PHOTOS G. MUSUMECI)