Visiting an Active Volcano? What to Know Before You Go
In a spectacular show of nature's strength, Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, erupted on June 2, cloaking Sicily in a plume of ash and gas.
And while the latest eruption didn't prompt evacuations or airport closures, it did send a group of hikers running down the mountain's flank: videos show tourists fleeing as ashy clouds spiraled several miles into the sky.
Despite Etna's near-constant activity, hundreds of thousands of people trek to the top of the mountain annually. It's one of several active volcanoes worldwide, including Iceland's Fagradalsfjall, New Zealand's Tongariro, and Nicaragua's Concepción, that sit at the glowing but turbulent heart of volcano tourism. At many of these destinations, potentially life-threatening eruptions don't scare off the tourists—often, they attract them.
Jessica Ferracane, a public affairs specialist at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, says the park—which is home to two volcanoes that have erupted in the last three years (one of which, Kīlauea, is on the brink of another eruption)—sees an influx of travelers during and after volcanic events. 'When the volcano erupts, so does visitation,' Ferracane tells Condé Nast Traveler.
The appeal of volcano tourism doesn't surprise Arianna Soldati, an assistant professor of volcanology at North Carolina State University. 'They are an amazing display of the planet's activity,' she says. 'Whereas most geological phenomena are extremely slow (think of mountain building or glacier erosion), an eruption can redefine the landscape in a matter of hours.'
While the exact timing of an eruption can be difficult to predict, it's rare for travelers to be caught completely off guard by volcanic activity, thanks to increasingly advanced scientific forecasts. In Sicily, the Civil Protection Department and the Italian Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology provide the public with updates on Mount Etna's eruption status using a color-coded system.
Despite early warnings about increased volcanic activity, many hikers ventured toward the summit of Etna on the day of its eruption. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all hikers made it safely down the mountain. By June 3, authorities had downgraded the alert level to yellow, indicating slightly elevated volcanic activity. Tourist activities, including hiking, resumed with safety measures in place.
The potential dangers of volcanic sites aren't limited to the eruptions themselves, Soldati says. 'Some of the risks may be invisible, like toxic gases,' she tells Traveler, adding that almost all risks are present further away than people might expect, often several miles from the source.
As such, there are a slew of safety precautions to consider before visiting an active volcano. Below, experts offer their top volcano safety tips.
Some volcanic hikes can be done independently, while others require a certified guide. At Mount Etna, pictured above, a guide is required above 8202 feet.
PlanetDo: Understand the risks
One of the most important things to remember about volcano tourism is that eruptions are dangerous—no matter how enticing they look from a distance. And even if volcanoes aren't actively erupting, they can still pose risks.
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A 30% transfer bonus from Amex to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which brought the required 9,000 Flying Club points down to just 7,000 Amex points. Here's exactly how I did it — and how you might be able to replicate the strategy next time a bonus like this rolls around. Related article These are our favorite credit cards for Delta flyers in 2025A post shared by Kyle Olsen (@kyleolsen10) Before you redeem your Amex points, you'll need to earn points. Here's a look at several of the best Amex card offers right now, which you can transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. 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Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is one of the most underappreciated airline loyalty programs, especially for transatlantic flights in economy class. While major US carriers may charge 30,000 to 40,000 miles (or more) for a one-way flight between Europe and the US, Virgin Atlantic regularly prices economy award tickets from 6,000 points. I found availability from London to San Francisco for just 9,000 points plus £220 (around $300) in June, and it ended up being one of the best redemptions I've made all year. Credit card issuers like American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou American Express often run limited-time transfer bonuses to their travel partners. In October 2024, there was a 30% bonus from Amex to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. That meant every 1,000 Amex Membership Rewards points transferred would become 1,300 Flying Club points. I transferred 37,000 Amex points for various Virgin redemptions I had in mind, and those became 48,100 Flying Club points, thanks to the transfer bonus. In short, instead of needing to transfer the full 9,000 points, the transfer bonus would've only required me to transfer 7,000 Amex points, which would've yielded 9,100 Flying Club points after the 30% bonus. That was just enough to cover my flight. To put that in perspective, I got a 10-hour transatlantic flight for the equivalent of 7,000 Amex points, plus taxes and fees, which is a fantastic redemption, especially during peak travel season. I found that London to San Francisco flight by searching directly on Virgin Atlantic's website. That £220 (around $300) in taxes and fees is relatively high, as are all Virgin's fees on UK departures due to airport and fuel surcharges, but even with the cash spend factored in, this was an exceptional value. The process was simple: I located award availability on my preferred date. I transferred 7,000 Amex points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Within minutes, the points posted, and I completed the booking. I flew in Virgin Atlantic Economy Classic, which includes the following. One 23-kilogram (50-pound) checked bag Standard seat selection at check-in Complimentary meals, drinks and entertainment The flight itself was smooth, and the service on board was friendly and efficient. While Economy Light fares are cheaper in cash, I appreciated the added benefits of Economy Classic, especially the included luggage. Even though this exact 30% transfer bonus has expired, Amex frequently offers new ones. Here's what to do if you want to replicate this redemption strategy. Monitor Amex transfer bonuses via your Membership Rewards account. Create a Virgin Atlantic Flying Club account (if you don't already have one). Search for award availability before transferring points. Remember: Amex transfers to Virgin Atlantic are instant but nonreversible. If you find a 9,000-point flight and a 30% bonus is active, you'll only need 7,000 Amex points. Otherwise, you'll need to transfer 9,000 Amex points, which is still a great deal. Using just 7,000 Amex points to fly from London to San Francisco was a smart, high-value redemption — and a reminder that timing matters in award travel. By combining a low-cost redemption with a limited-time transfer bonus, I got more than 8 cents per point in value, a rare feat for economy travel. If you're flexible with your travel plans and pay attention to transfer bonuses, redemptions like this are very possible. For business travelers, budget-conscious vacationers or anyone trying to stretch their points further, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club should be on your radar, especially when a points transfer bonus sweetens the deal. The following FAQs have been answered by CNN Underscored travel editor and credit card expert Kyle Olsen. How much are 100,000 Amex points worth for flights? How much are 100,000 Amex points worth for flights? 100,000 Amex Membership Rewards points are worth at least $1,000 when you redeem them for flights through Amex Travel, but you can get much more — up to $5,000 — by transferring to airline partners and booking premium cabin international flights. The value depends on how you redeem, but travel website The Points Guy values 100,000 Amex points at $2,000. Do Amex points ever expire? Do Amex points ever expire? Amex Membership Rewards points don't expire as long as you keep your account open, but you can lose them if you close all eligible cards, miss payments or violate program terms. We recommend keeping your account active and in good standing to retain your points. How do I use my Amex points most efficiently? How do I use my Amex points most efficiently? For the best value, transfer Amex points to airline partners to book premium cabin or international flights. Other options like hotel transfers, gift cards or statement credits usually offer less value. Booking through Amex Travel is easy, but it typically yields just 1 cent per point. CNN Underscored is your trusted source for credit card and travel rewards strategies because our editors don't just write about points; we use them. For this guide, travel editor and credit card expert Kyle Olsen shares his firsthand experience booking a real transatlantic flight using just 7,000 Amex points. Every detail is backed by real-world research, insider knowledge and a commitment to accuracy, so you can confidently apply these tips to your own travel plans. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Gold card. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Platinum card. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Business Gold card. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Business Platinum card. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
