Unesco card Mount Etna

Year of inclusion in the World Heritage List: 2013

The “Mount Etna” site includes 19,237 hectares of the Etna Park. With a height of 3,335 m above sea level, Etna is the highest mountain in Italy south of the Alps, the highest in the central Mediterranean area and in any Mediterranean island. The candidate site covers the highest area of ​​Etna which is not inhabited. Etna is the most active volcano in the world in terms of eruptive frequency. It is the tallest volcano in Europe and the largest composite basaltic volcano and covers an area of ​​1,178 km2 above sea level, reaching a height of over 3,300m. The volcano is characterized by almost incessant volcanic activity in the summit craters and by frequent lava flows from lateral craters and fissures. This volcanic activity has been documented for at least 2700 years. The scientific documentation relating to Etna dates back to the XNUMXth century. In the XNUMXth century, famous European scientists, such as Charles Lyell and Sartorius von Waltershausen, conducted systematic studies and the Waltershausen map, from the first half of the XNUMXth century, represents the first geological map of a large volcano. Since that moment, Etna has become the most studied and monitored volcano in the world. It is considered a natural laboratory for volcanologists, geophysicists and other disciplines of the earth sciences.

The criteria adopted byUnesco for the inscription of the site in the World Heritage Site:

Criterion VIII: “Etna is one of the most active iconic volcanoes in the world and an extraordinary example of continuous geological processes and volcanic formations. The stratovolcano is characterized by the almost continuous eruptive activity from the craters of its summit and quite frequent eruptions and lava flows from the craters and fissures on its flanks. This exceptional volcanic activity has been documented by humans for at least 2700 years and is one of the longest documented records in the world of historical volcanism. The varied and accessible assemblage of volcanic features such as crater tops, ash cones, lava flows, lava caves and the Valle del Bove depression have made Mount Etna a prime destination for research and education. Today Etna is one of the best studied and monitored volcanoes in the world and continues to influence volcanology, geophysics and other earth science disciplines. Notoriety, scientific and cultural importance and educational value are of global importance ". 

Useful information:  

 Useful information:
Location: Mount Etna - Sicily N374522 E145948

Unesco document: ICOMOS  1427  (.pdf)
Unesco Web: Access the Unesco area
Site area: 19237 hectares
Buffer zone: 26220 hectares
Unesco Site Management Plan: Not present

Detail Sheet                                          Official spot "Etna Unesco Heritage"

 


In the "integral reserve" area (zone "A"), nature is preserved in its entirety; in the general reserve area (zone "B"), protection is combined with the development of traditional economic activities; in the area of ​​"controlled development protection" (pre-Park) consisting of zones "C" and "D", which is considerably anthropized, an economic development compatible with respect for the landscape and the environment is pursued.


 The total area of ​​the park is just over 59.000 hectares and falls entirely within the province of Catania, affecting the territory of 20 municipalities.

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