Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Mount Etna


Looming on the east coast of Sicily between the cities of Messina and Catania Etna rises nearly 11,000 feet tall, covering an area of 459 square miles.  It is also one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

In Greek Mythology Zeus was said to have trapped Typhon beneath it as well as the forges of Hephaestus.


                                                            Typhon

The name Etna means furnace or chimney...and the mountain is in near constant state of activity. Geologist surmise that volcanic activity started here 500,000 years ago.


Mount Etna is one of Sicily's main tourist attractions, with thousands of visitors annually.  It provides hiking, 2 ski resorts and a train trip around the base.

Hiking Mount Etna

https://youtu.be/LYayrHjrkZ8

Train at the base of Etna.

https://youtu.be/N9tY5W8lyFE

Mount Etna Lava Flow

https://youtu.be/rdftw99Hbeo

Mount Etna Eruption

https://youtu.be/rznju2ivzfU

Sking Mt. Etna

https://youtu.be/743AqqmuWEg

https://youtu.be/s4wyl7746fo

Sking to beat an eruption

https://youtu.be/BcPP7msvg94

And a last word...when it is 104 in Sicily and you are melting in the heat...remember the Arab nevari snow dealers who, centuries ago, would bring blocks of packed snow down from Mount Etna to mix with fruit juices make the frozen granitas we still enjoy today! 
True Story.

More anon...