Mount Etna, a massive stratovolcano in Sicily, is the most active volcano in Europe and often produces several eruptions per year. Despite being over half a million years old, the 3,400-meter behemoth still has plenty of gas left in its tank. Despite its frequent eruptions, Etna has been enigmatic due to its unusual volcanic activity and its frequent release of alkaline lavas. A new study suggests that the volcano may be fed by a rare magma mechanism, which was previously only observed in recent decades. The study also suggests that Etna formed differently from most other volcanoes and may be a "petit-spot" volcano, which may have formed through a mechanism similar to that of volcanoes. The findings could provide valuable insights for volcanology and for assessment of hazards posed by Etna.