The negative effects of Mt. Etna's eruptions are:
- 77 deaths directly from the eruptions, and other deaths from things the volcano caused.
- Threatened agriculture, public utilities, and transportation in the heavily populated towns surrounding Mt. Etna.
- Rome indicates a large eruption from Mt. Etna blocked the sun for several days and caused widespread damage to the town of Catania, on the coast
- In 1669, 1,500 people were indirectly killed by Mount Etna.
- On October 30, 2002, Etna caused forest fires and air traffic, due to pollution and smoke
- In 1960, agricultural land was destroyed.
- Lahars have been caused during eruptions