The last sismic events have given the sign of a new Etna's wakening (by now a periodic phenomenon in the last ten years), and the volcanic sand emission over the villages of the north-east Etna's flank.

The eruption started on 10th may in the south-east crater, and on 13th may in the Valley of the Leon.

A spectacular lava flow toward the Valley of the Oxen allows a wonderful panorama from Catania hinterland.

Lava flow has reached 1350 m s.l., and in the site of the active crater (at 2800 s.l.) some small earthquakes have been noticed.

Until now there is no alarm for the people of the neighbourhood, thanks to the low risk of this phenomenon, because the direction of lava is the volcanic desert of the Valley of the Oxen.
But nowadays people remember again the dramatic eruptive events of 2002-2003, when the arbitrary fury of nature destroyed and burnt all the tourist facilities.

Luckily, this time the volcanic vent is the goal of tourists' curiosity, thanks to the amazing landscape visible from many points of Catania's province.

A warning is not to do excursion alone, but with an expert guide to avoid any kind of danger.

A suggestion for seeing this wonderful scenario is walking along a hidden path toward Zoccolaro mount, in Zafferana territory.