The eruption, which occurred on the morning of May 13, 2008, immediately east of Etna's summit craters, was accompanied by more than 200 earthquakes and significant ground deformation in the Etna area.

The eruption lasted 417 days until July 6, 2009, making it the longest eruption on Etna's flank since the 1991-1993 eruption, which lasted 473 days.

The March 16, 2017 eruption injured 10 people, including a BBC News television crew, after magma exploded on contact with snow.