The Sustainability Impacts of Mount Etna's Eruption

Italy's Mount Etna has erupted again, sending a plume of ash, gas and rock into the skies over Sicily.

The dramatic event has not prompted evacuations, but the potential for supply chain fallout is already drawing attention.

The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) confirmed that "a pyroclastic flow probably produced by a collapse of material from the northern flank of the south-east crater" had taken place.

This fast-moving surge of volcanic ash, gas and debris poses substantial risks not only to the immediate environment but also to broader logistic networks.

Renato Schifani, President of the Sicilian region, attempted to reassure the public, stating that there was “no danger for the population” and that the pyroclastic flow had not extended beyond the Valley of the Lions, a well-known tourist area.

“The partial collapse of the south-east crater, which generated an impressive eruptive cloud several kilometres high and a pyroclastic flow, is a phenomenon that we follow with extreme caution,” he added.

Despite these assurances, red alerts were issued to aviation authorities as the volcanic cloud reached an estimated 6.5km in height, posing a possible threat to air traffic.

Salvo Cocina, Head of the regional Civil Protection Unit, warned visitors to stay away from the area “in consideration of the potential evolution of the phenomenon.”

Volcanic ash and the global logistics ripple

The eruption sparks fresh concerns across the logistics industry, especially with memories still sharp from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010.

That event grounded more than 100,000 flights and paralysed Europe’s aviation network for six days.

Although the eruption was small, its impact on sustainable supply chains was vast.

It stranded tonnes of agricultural produce, affecting not only Europe but also distant markets like Kenya.

Flights meant to deliver vegetables to European supermarkets were cancelled, leading to wasted stock and job losses.

Etna's activity serves as a reminder of how interconnected and vulnerable modern supply chains are.

Volcanic activity can hinder more than just aviation; it can significantly impact agriculture, transport infrastructure and employment sustainability.

Ash can smother crops and decrease the fertility of farmland.

For example, Hawaii's Kilauea eruption destroyed papaya farms, while Guatemala's Fuego eruption damaged coffee and vegetable exports.

Additionally, ash can compromise roads and bridges, making transport challenging and disrupting sustainable supply chain routes.

Volcanologists often fail to account for these “secondary effects” on water, electricity and fuel pipelines, not to mention the disruption to human health and workforce availability.

A sustainable use for the ash

When ash, dust and debris from volcano eruptions settles to the ground, it is usually cleared away and sent to landfill sites. 

However, in 2021 a team from the University of Catania identified a way to recycle ash from Etna's eruptions. 

They were not the first to explore uses for volcanic ash – the Romans used it with other materials to build walls, many of which have stood the test of time. 

In modern day, recovered ash could be used for road surfaces or construction and has strong thermal insulation properties. 

The buildings and construction sector accounts for 37% of global emissions according to UNEP, so reducing its need for raw materials could make a significant difference. 

Further research was published from the University of Catania in 2024 exploring how ash could be a "new sustainable supplementary cementitious material", showing that it has negligible negative effects on the properties of cement.

Using these methods could not only make construction more sustainable, but prevent large amounts of debris being sent to landfills. 

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