Mount Etna, or Etna, is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy. It is located in the Metropolitan City of Catania and lies above the convergent plate margin between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate. It has a circumferance of 93 miles and stands 10,900 feet. The last major eruption was in 1992.
Through the duration of my stay in Sicily, I was able to look out my window every morning and see the almighty Mount Etna. I was able to experience the eruption of this beast and a few days later, hike it. It was such a beautiful place to be, and it gave a panoramic view of the island that surrounded you.
In order to get to the upper middle part of the volcano, you had to go on a gondola, caravan in a large bus with specialty tires, and then hike the rest of the way up. The entrance to get up to the crater of the mountain, stood an “enter at your own risk” sign. Due to the height of it, there are extreme and severe weather conditions at the top, such was high speed lighting storms and lighting storms.
My family and I went to the summit just before the crater. The wind was so powerful that when walking, you either stayed in the same position or were put back five steps. When being up in the higher elevated areas, you could place your hand on the ground, moving some of the rockage, and feel the heat from the throat of the mountain.
In 1669, 1,500 people were killed when the town of Nicoli was destroyed by an earthquake originating beneath Mount Etna. The picture above is what used to by the town on Nicoli. The house being one of the few that was found beneath the rubble.
Seeing the World Through a Different View 