Mount Etna
Mount Etna
is
the largest volcano in Europe and one of the most active in
the world. It rises almost 11,000 feet above sea level and is
frequently snow capped. Humankind has tied the mountain to
mythology and the Greeks were particularly fond of Mt Etna, linking
it with the gods Aeolus and Vulcan, as well as many
other mythological figures.
The best way to
explore Mount Etna is to arrange a tour in either Catania or
Taormina. If you are independently minded, take the
Circumetnea train, which, appropriately enough, almost circles the
volcano and makes stops along the way if you want to disembark
and hike up to the lava flows or older craters. Catch the
Circumetnea at either the Bargo Station in the southern section of
Catania or the Giarre Station in northern Catania. For more
information, see the
official Circumetnea website. |
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Lava flows litter Mount Etna's slopes (above) and evidence of recent
eruptions (below) are usually not hard to find. Although there are
villages on the slopes of the volcano, you should realize that this
is a very active volcano that has the potential for a massive
eruption. Although large eruptions are usually presaged by
several days, if not weeks, of earth tremors, minor eruptions often occur with limited
warning. If you are going to explore the upper reaches of the
volcano, hire a professional guide who knows Mount Etna's
temperament. The latest eruptions were in 2007.
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