The past 400 years in the
eruptive history of Etna are characterized by several changes in the eruptive behavior. This fact coincides with changes in the amount of lavas and pyroclastics produced in a given period. During the from
1600 until
1669: eight flank eruptions occurred in various sectors of the volcano. Some of them were of unusually long duration and volume.
The culminating and concluding event of that period was the devastating
mt etna eruption of 1669 and one of its most violent and voluminous historical flank. 1669: Pre-eruption sismicity destroys
Nicolosi. Lava flows destroy up to 16 villages, among them
Belpasso, S. Pietro Clarenza, Mascalucia, Camporotondo, Misterbianco, and partially S. Giovanni Galermo. The lava flow breaks through the city walls of
Catania, and enters the sea.
For nearly a century following the 1669 volcano etna eruption, the output was presumably very low . There were only three relatively minor flank eruptions:
1689,
1702 and
1755: all of which occurred within the
Valle del Bove on the eastern flank of the volcano.
The most destructive mount etna eruption during the 20th century occurred in November 1928 and led to the destruction of the small town of
Mascali.
1928: The course of its events was similar to that of other eruptions during this century. Nevertheless this eruption was unusual because of the most productive vents formed in an area of infrequent eruptive activity.
