ROME (AP) – Mount Etna, the volcano that rises over eastern Sicily, evokes superlatives. It is the most active volcano in Europe and also the largest on the continent.
And the fiery and loud demonstration of power that he exhibits for days or weeks, even years from time to time, is always super spectacular. Fortunately, Etna’s latest eruption, which captivated the world’s attention, caused no injuries or evacuation.
But each time he roars back into dramatic action, he impresses viewers and geologists who spend their careers monitoring every shudder, crash and burp.
WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW?
On February 16, Etna erupted, launching high sources of lava, which rolled down the eastern slope of the mountain towards the uninhabited Bove valley, which is five kilometers (three miles) wide and eight kilometers (five miles) from length. The volcano spewed ash and lava rocks that flooded the south side.
The activity has continued since then, in more or less intense bursts. Flaming lava illuminates the night sky in shocking shades of orange and red. There is no telling how long this round of exciting activities will last, say volcanologists who work at the Etna Observatory, run by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology.
Although public fascination began with the first dramatic images this month, the explosive activity began in September 2019, becoming much stronger two months ago. Current activity mainly involves the southeastern crater, which was created in 1971 from a series of fractures.
DIFFICULT TO LOSE
Etna rises to 3,350 meters (about 11,050 feet) above sea level and is 35 kilometers (22 miles) in diameter, although volcanic activity has changed the height of the mountain over time.
Occasionally, Catania Airport, the largest city in eastern Sicily, closes for hours or days when ashes in the air make it dangerous to fly in the area. At the beginning of this recent period of eruptive activity, the airport closed briefly.
But for pilots and passengers flying to and from Catania at night, when the volcano is calmer, a glimpse of intense red in the dark sky is an exciting sight.
LIVING WITH A VOLCANO
With lava flows from Etna largely contained on its uninhabited slopes, life passes through cities and towns elsewhere on the mountain. Sometimes, as in the past few days, lava stones rain on the streets, bounce off cars and shake roofs.
But many residents generally find this a minor inconvenience when compared to the benefits that the volcano brings. The lava flows left fertile land. Blooming apple and citrus fruits. Red and white Etna are some of Sicily’s most popular wines, from grapes grown on the volcanic slopes.
Tourism raises revenue. Hikers and backpackers enjoy views of the ever-bubbling mountain and sparkling Ionian Sea below. For skiers who want deserted slopes, Etna is a favorite.
MAY BE DEADLY
Inspiring ancient Greek legends, Etna has had dozens of eruptions known in its history. An eruption in 396 BC was held responsible for keeping Carthage’s army under control.
In 1669, in what was considered the worst known eruption of the volcano, lava buried a strip of Catania, about 23 kilometers away, and devastated dozens of villages. An eruption in 1928 interrupted a railway route that surrounded the base of the mountain.
More recently, in 1983, dynamite was used to deflect lava that threatened inhabited areas. In 1992, the army built a wall of earth to contain the lava, flowing from Etna for months, after reaching Zafferana Etnea, a village with a few thousand people. At one point, the steaming lava stopped two kilometers (just over a mile) from the outskirts of the city.
Over the past century, a hiccup in geological time, low-energy explosive eruptions and lava flows, both fed by the summit and the side vents, have characterized Etna.