subject: Mount Etna Sicily's Heartbeat [print this page] It is said the ancient Greeks thought Mount Etna was the realm of Vulcan, god of fire and the home of the one eyed monster known as the Cyclops. Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe and is the highest mountain in Italy; it is south of the Alps and the largest out of the three active volcanoes in Italy. The volcano lies on the east of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. It has an elliptical base (38 x 47 km) and a maximum elevation of 3350m.
This is a volcano that has so many eruptions that the height of the summit changes with each eruption, and over the centuries a few lava flows have reached the coast. Over 1200 square meters of Etna's surface is covered with solidified lava. With it being stratovolcano, having relatively cool lava temperatures and numerous openings (vents), nobody ever knows precisely where on its vast surface the next eruption will be. The constant volcanic activities leads to the soil becoming extremely fertile this is thanks to minerals in the magma. Add to the fact that the excellent climate in the Mediterranean provides and supports extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south.
This is risky but obviously the people can see the benefits of living on the slopes, it is estimated that 25% of Sicily's population lives on Etna' slopes, lava flows are the most immediately hazardous type of activity and while the flows themselves usually do not move fast enough to threaten, they do cover large area and destroy crops and buildings. Which makes evacuating the inhabitants of towns and cities near the volcano would be a huge challenge. So you can weight up both sides on one side it is the main source of income for the island, both from agriculture and tourism, whilst on the other hand if something goes wrong it could be disastrous.
The volcano has been designated as a Decade volcano by the united nations this is where the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI) identifies a volcano worthy of being studied in light of their history of large, destructive eruptions and proximity to populated areas. The Decade Volcanoes project encourages studies and public-awareness activities at these volcanoes, with the aim of achieving a better understanding of the volcanoes and the dangers they present, and thus being able to reduce the severity of natural disasters.
You can see various lifeforms such as frogs, toads and turtles living in the streams and small ponds of Etna's forests. Also other species such snakes and Sicily's ubiquitous lizards, while Foxes, squirrels, weasels, hare, hedgehogs, porcupine and a few wild cats also consider Etna their residence. In the trees or overhead you'll see owls, falcons, partridges and the occasional golden eagle which was recently re-introduced here.
Etna offers skiing in the winter months, as there are a number of smaller peaks on slopes of Etna and some interesting. While in winter you can have breathtaking hikes in the woods. Being so close to Catania you will find that these will be be picturesque villas in Italy as Mount Etna will be the perfect backdrop for any photo you take on the balcony.
