March 17, 1981 Eruption of Etna
Etna in Italy erupted on March 17, 1981 with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 2.
Where it erupted
Etna, Italy, with its other significant eruptions.
The eruption
The toll
- Damage
- $10 million
Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.
What the record says
NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.
Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 2. Lava Volume: 1.8x107 m3. Tephra Volume: 3.3x106 m3. Eruptive Characteristics: Radial fissure eruption, Explosive eruption, Lava flow(s), Damage (land, property, etc.), Evacuation.
An eruption 17-23 March extruded lava from several fissures on the NNW flank. Initial estimates indicate that the main flow reached 7.5 km in length, lava flows covered an area of 6 km2, and 30-35 x 106 m3 of lava were extruded [but later calculations from topographic measurements by Murray (1982) yield 18 x 106 m3] at a rate of 58-70 m3/s. Damage was estimated at about $10 million. Of the 90 historic eruptions of Etna for which location data are available, only three (1614, 1764, and 1918) occurred on the NW or NNW flanks. (reference #2432)
Buildings destroyed, railway line, and 3 major roads inundated. (reference 13732)
Other significant eruptions of Etna
- December 26, 2018
- March 15, 2017
- October 28, 2002
- July 26, 2001
- May 14, 2001
- December 14, 1991
- April 17, 1987
- December 19, 1985
- October 16, 1984
- September 12, 1979
- August 2, 1929
- November 8, 1928
- September 5, 1868
- November 25, 1843
- November 1, 1832
- January 9, 1693
- March 19, 1669
- March 11, 1669
- March 26, 1536
- July 15, 1329
- June 28, 1329
- February 11, 1169
- February 4, 1169
- 141 BC
More
Every eruption in 1981The 1900sEtnaEarthquakes near EtnaThis day in weather history
Sources
Volcanoes and significant eruptions from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. Volcano numbers are the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program’s. NCEI event 5489.