Mount Etna is the highest volcano in Europe, with lava flows constantly erupting from it, destroying entire villages. Despite the danger that lurks inside the stratovolcano, the inhabitants of the island of Sicily use its gifts for the development of agriculture, because the nearby soil is rich in trace elements.
Description of Mount Etna
For those who do not know where the largest volcano in Europe is located, it is worth noting that it is located on the territory of Italy, but is not capable of bringing tangible harm to the state, because it is separated from its main part by the sea. The Sicilians can be called a unique people who have learned to live close to the hot-tempered owner of the island, whose geographical coordinates are 37 ° 45 ′ 18 ″ north latitude and 14 ° 59 ′ 43 ″ east longitude.
Latitude and longitude indicate the highest point of the stratovolcano, although it has more than one crater. Approximately once every two to three months, one of the craters spews out lava, which often reaches small settlements at the foot of Etna. The absolute height in meters is 3329, but this value changes over time due to the formation of layers from volcanic emissions. So, about a century and a half ago, Etna was 21 meters higher. The area of this giant is 1250 sq. km, it surpasses Vesuvius, therefore it is famous throughout Europe.
The main characteristic of Etna is its layered structure, which is why it is called a stratovolcano. It was formed at the junction of two tectonic plates, which, due to shifts, allow the flow of lava to the surface. The shape of the volcano is conical, as it was formed year after year from ash, solidified lava and tephra. According to rough estimates, Etna appeared 500 thousand years ago and during this time it has erupted more than 200 times. To this day, he is in the stage of activity, which causes concern among the residents of the country.
Legends of a fire-breathing volcano
Since Mount Etna is the largest volcano in the European part, there are many legends about it. According to one of them, the mountain is a dungeon where the giant Enceladus is located. Athena walled him up under the massif, but from time to time the prisoner tries to get through the thickness, so his hot breath escapes from the crater.
It is also believed that the volcano was chosen by the gods to imprison the titans, who decided to overthrow the inhabitants of Olympus. For this reason, Italians treat their natural heritage with respect and some fear. In some myths, it is mentioned that the forge of Hephaestus is located in the mouth of the volcano.
Interesting about the volcano
Interesting facts relate to an amazing phenomenon that is not characteristic of each of the volcanoes. Smoke rings were recorded over Etna in the 70s of the 20th century - a truly unusual sight. This was the first documentary evidence of the existence of such a natural phenomenon. Later, vortex formations appeared in 2000 and 2013. Admiring them is a real success, but not every tourist is lucky enough to get such a gift from Etna volcano.
We advise you to read about the Yellowstone Volcano.
Despite the fact that the stratovolcano erupts lava from time to time, tourists strive to conquer this giant, choosing one of three routes for themselves:
- southern - you can get there by bus or SUV, and also ride a cable car;
- eastern - reaches 1.9 km;
- northern - paved path for hiking or cycling.
It is not recommended to wander the slopes alone, as smoke or lava comes out of the craters from time to time. At the same time, accurate maps do not exist, because the relief of Etna is constantly changing due to frequent, albeit insignificant, eruptions. It is better to ask the locals how to get to one of the available points at the top on their own, or hire a guide.
At the top in local shops, you can buy the legendary liqueur of the same name. Tourists can envy its aging, and the taste cannot be conveyed in words, since the vineyards growing at the foot and feeding on a rich composition of microelements give the drink a specific bouquet.
Explosive nature of the 21st century
On what continent have you not yet heard of a stratovolcano? It is unlikely that information about him has not reached the end of the world, because since the beginning of the new century, eruptions have occurred almost annually, or even several times a year. No one has any questions about the active or extinct Etna volcano, since it either destroys everything around it, or because of it, the operation of the airport is suspended.
The last eruption of 2016 happened on May 21. Then in all the media wrote that the stratovolcano woke up again, but this time victims were avoided. A lot of photos quickly spread across the web as an abundance of ash and lava burst from the crater and flew into the air. No picture will convey such a scale, but it is extremely dangerous to be close at the time of the eruption, so it is better to observe the spectacle from a safe distance.
However, in 2016 there was not yet a strong eruption. One of the most powerful in the last decade is the explosion that occurred on December 3, 2015. Then the lava flew up to a kilometer height, and the ash obstructed visibility so much that the activities of the Catania airport were stopped.
