Mt. Etna

The picture on the right is a view of Mt. Etna from our room at the Total Motel. I was in awe of Mt. Etna. It is the largest volcano in Europe at 10, 924 feet. It's height changes due to eruptions, and this height is 69 feet lower than it was in 1981. Mt. Etna is the higest mountain in Italy, south of the Alps, and covers 460 square miles. It is one of the most active volcanos in the world. The fertile soils of Mt. Etna support many vinyards and orchards. Volcanic activity in Mt. Etna began a half a million years ago. There was an eruption in 1971 that destroyed the Etna Observatory and the first generation Etna Cable Cars. It threatened a small village but we were told the people of the village went to the town priest and asked him to bring the Madonna out of the church so they could pray to her to keep them safe. Just before the lava flows got to the village they stopped. When we got to Sicily in 1973 we went to the site of some of the lava flows. The lava was still hot, and we found rocks with melted Coke bottles on them.


This picture was taken from the Autostrada.

This is a picture taken from our balcony in Belpasso of Mt. Etna in 1974. If you look to the left of the picture you will see another stream of smoke. Mt. Etna was erupting at this time, and blew a new fissure.


This is anoher picture taken from our balcony after a snow fall. When we looked out our kitchen door this is what we saw. What a beautiful view!