Talking about the place where Mount Etna, one can say that it's almost paradise.Sicily - an island with a Mediterranean climate, where most of the year is dominated by the high temperatures and the winter is short and mild.The sun shines 2500 hours per year and fertile soils provide excellent yields of citrus, fruit trees and grapes, from which prepared fine wine.
Etna volcano belongs to the so-called stratovolcano that as they arise form a beautiful cones.About how it was formed, it goes some beautiful legends.Translated from the Greek "Etna" means "Fire Mountain," or the verb "to burn."It was believed that on Etna some time lived the son of Zeus and Hera, Hephaestus, who hammered in the fiery mountain lightning for his father.
According to another version, the Olympus once went to war giants who wanted to take revenge for the victims at the hands of Zeus Titans.Old God defeated them and sent under the Etna, where they periodically shake the ground, trying to escape.Also, the Greeks believed that Etna as a "branch" of Olympus, home to their gods, so to appease the mountain during some eruptions of lava are thrown into the offerings.The story noted and suicide by jumping into the mouth of a volcano.He made a philosopher Empedocles Akragansky in the 5th century BCin order to be regarded as a god.
scientific point of view suggests that Mount Etna appeared about 600 thousand. Years ago in the sea.Gradually over the years, the eruption caused it to rise to the current height of about 3300 meters.Today, the volcano has 4 central cone which arose during various eruptions, but from a distance they merge, so non-experts believe that a central volcano crater.
carried out on the mountain tours, including a cable car, off-road or on foot.Some tourists dare to climb alone, but all recommend taking conductors sinceEtna has a number of side outputs of which may appear pairs.
first known eruption of Etna belong to 6th century BCThe 485 year produced the first description of the process by the Greek Pindar, who witnessed the event.In the 4th century BC, the eruption took place that saved Syracuse, Messina and Catania from the invasion of the Carthaginians, who blocked the path of the lava flow of Etna.A natural disaster of the year 122 AD, was so devastating that the population of the slopes of the volcano was 10 years are exempt from tax by the Roman Senate.
Natural processes that shows the volcano is absolutely unpredictable.For example, the eruption of 1669 was very strong, but did not affect the Ursino Castle, which is located in the vicinity of mountains and exists to this day.Last time the volcano showed signs of activity in 2013, but it was weak and on the operation of the airport and the life of the islanders had no effect.
Watching the erupting Mount Etna in recent decades, scientists fear that it will be replaced by effusive eruption explosive eruptions, which are more harmful to people and the environment this is definitely a heavenly place.
