World Map › Major Eruptions › Mount Etna 1979
Historic Eruption
1979 Eruption of Mount Etna
12 September 1979 · Stratovolcano · Italy
On 12 September 1979, Mount Etna in Italy erupted. The volcano rises to 3,357 m. Its Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is 3 out of 8, that of a severe eruption ejecting more than 10 million m³ of material. It killed at least 9 people and injured 23. Most deaths were caused by ash and tephra fall.
- Date
- 12 September 1979
- Volcano
- Mount Etna
- Volcano Type
- Stratovolcano
- Elevation
- 3,357 m
- Country
- Italy
- Explosivity Index (VEI)
- 3 out of 8
- Deaths
- 9
- Injuries
- 23
- Main Causes of Death
- Ash and Tephra
Other Significant Eruptions of Mount Etna
- 2018December 2018 Eruption · VEI 2 · Earthquakes
- 2017March 2017 Eruption · Pyroclastic Flows
- 2002October 2002 Eruption · VEI 3
- 2001July 2001 Eruption · VEI 2
- 2001May 2001 Eruption · VEI 31 death
- 1991December 1991 Eruption · VEI 2
- 1987April 1987 Eruption · VEI 2 · Ash and Tephra2 deaths
- 1985December 1985 Eruption · VEI 1 · Earthquakes1 death
- 1984October 1984 Eruption · VEI 3 · Earthquakes1 death
- 1981March 1981 Eruption · VEI 2
- 1929August 1929 Eruption · VEI 1 · Ash and Tephra2 deaths
- 1928November 1928 Eruption · VEI 1 · Lava Flows5 deaths
- 1843November 1843 Eruption · VEI 2 · Lava Flows59 deaths
- 1832November 1832 Eruption · VEI 2 · Lava Flows
- 166919 March 1669 Eruption · VEI 3 · Lava Flows2 deaths
- 166911 March 1669 Eruption · VEI 3
- 1536March 1536 Eruption · VEI 3 · Ash and Tephra1 death
- 1329July 1329 Eruption · VEI 3 · Indirect Effects (Famine, Disease)
- 1329June 1329 Eruption · VEI 3
- 1169February 1169 Eruption · Earthquakes, Tsunami16,000 deaths
- 141 BCE141 BCE Eruption40 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database (doi:10.7289/V5JW8BSH) · Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program