🏙️ Catania

Italy · Population 298,762 · Elevation 7 m · Airport CTA

Volcanic Risk Profile

Catania lies at the southern foot of Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano. Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) is closed multiple times each year due to ash on runways — a regional aviation bottleneck. Etna's ash routinely accumulates several centimetres on city streets within hours of paroxysmal episodes.

Nearby Active Volcanoes

🌋 Mount Etna27 km away

View live Volcash score and eruption history →

Distance from city center to Mount Etna crater: 29 km (great-circle).

Notable Eruptions Affecting Catania

1669

Etna

Lava flows reached Catania, destroyed western quarter; 17,000 displaced.

2002

Etna

CTA airport closed for 4 days; tourism losses estimated at €50M.

2021

Etna

50+ paroxysmal episodes; CTA closed repeatedly; ash reached Greece.

Evacuation & Civil Protection

Italian Civil Protection (Protezione Civile) coordinates response. Etna red zone covers 18 surrounding municipalities. Emergency number: 112 (EU) / 800-840-840 (regional).

Health & Air Quality

Chronic exposure to volcanic SO₂ correlates with increased asthma admissions at Cannizzaro Hospital. Free FFP2 masks distributed by Comune di Catania during yellow alerts.

Current Conditions

View real-time volcanic ash levels for Catania on the interactive 3D map.

Check Live Volcash Score →

Activity Safety Thresholds

Volcash score limits beyond which each activity is no longer recommended for Catania residents:

Running≤ 50

3–5× breathing volume

Cycling≤ 50

High respiratory load

Hiking≤ 50

Mountain ash accumulation

Children outdoors≤ 30

Higher intake per body weight

Driving≤ 150

Visibility-limited

General outdoors≤ 100

Walking, shopping, commuting