Etna’s Lava Flows: How They Shape the Landscape

These flows are both destructive and creative. While they can bury villages, roads, and farmland, they also leave behind fertile soil once the lava breaks down. Over time, plants, vineyards, and forests reclaim the hardened lava, creating a patchwork of landscapes unique to Sicily. Some flows are slow, giving people time to react, while others move faster and threaten entire communities. In Catania and surrounding towns, you can still see traces of ancient flows integrated into buildings and city walls. Lava has literally become part of Sicilian architecture. This constant cycle of destruction and renewal is what makes Etna’s landscape so striking. It is a reminder that the volcano is not just a threat but also a powerful force of creation.