Here a simple article explaining the hystory of Etna and why this Sicilian volcano is a "Must" when you come to visit Sicily.

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Formation of the Etna:The Etna has been formed approximately 80 million years ago, when the oriental margin of the Sicily during the push of the African continent, fractured itself, and giving life to the magma spillage that today can be found in depth. The first eruptions were submarine, then happened over the sea level. We can still find testimonies of this submarine eruptions in the zones between Acicastello and Acitrezza.

Morphology of the volcano: High 3350 meters, the Etna is the tallest active volcano of Europe. Its structure is made up of four eruttive mouths: 

The eruptions: In general terms, the volcanic eruptions can be divided in two types, effusive and explosive.

• Effusive Eruptions: In this type of eruptions are formed flows of lava that slide along the flanks of the volcano.

• Explosive Eruptions: In this type of eruptions, the magma can take the ash shape or large blocks, called piroclastic. These last ones are hurled also to high heights.

On the Etna the eruptions can be considered of effusive type. In fact the volcano is classified as a little dangerous volcano. In fact, although its lava taps can reach the Etnean villages, it's very rare that the eruptions can represent a danger for the human life.

Very rare are the explosive eruptions. That most common ones are those called strombolian activity. These are usually accompanied by a strong roar, that causes the launch of lava bombs and ashes that can reach  heights of hundred of meters.