Seismicity time properties of the Etna Volcano (Italy) are investigated through a systematic pattern recognition analysis. Mean Hypothesis Testing (MHT) has been applied to a long time database of instrumental data recorded from 1981 to 1996 to identify relevant correlation among seismic patterns, main seismogenic volumes and the eight flank eruptions occurred in the same period. Time evolution of the test statistic (T-Ratio), calculated on a temporal window starting 75 days prior to a volcanic eruption and extending 25 days after, reveals that there is a pattern of seismic activity prior to the eruptions that can be used as a diagnostic tool as well as a physical modeling support in eruption forecasting. ¿ 1999 American Geophysical Union