Mount Etna
Dominating the eastern side of the island, Mount Etna is Europe’s largest volcano, with several vast craters and a height of 3,330 m (10,925 ft), and it remains one of the world’s most active. To the Greeks, it was home to Hephaestus, god of fire, who used its flames and lava to forge Zeus’s thunderbolts; to the Arabs it was known as Mongibello (Mountain of Mountains). Today, the Parco dell’Etna encompasses much of the volcano, encouraging farmers to produce wine, cheese, honey and fruit in the rich lavic soil. For visitors, it offers breathtaking views, great hiking and, in season, skiing – and you just might see an eruption of bright red sparks and lava.
- Tel: 095 821 111
- www.parcoetna.ct.it
- from Catania to Rifugio Sapienza Tel: 095 746 10 96 leaves Catania 8:15am daily, leaves Rifugio Sapienza 4:30pm daily
From Catania, the train passes Adrano (site of a Saracen bridge), Bronte (pistachio farms), Randazzo (Lake Gurrida and lava flows) and Linguaglossa (murals). Stop at Nicolosi and Zafferana for walks to the crater or the lava flows.
- Tel: 095 541 250
- www.circumetnea.it
Etna is home to a variety of trees, from oak and chestnut in low areas, to pine and birch on higher slopes. Wildflowers including violets, flourish in the lavic soil.
Development has all but eliminated Etna’s wolves, wild boar and deer, but small species still thrive, such as weasels and wildcats.
Small volcanic cones and cultivated crops, notably pistachio, cover the western slopes. Recent lava flows can be seen on the south slopes.
On these slopes can be found the Betula aetnensis birch, unique to the woods of Mount Etna, and the Castagno dei Cento Cavalli (Chestnut of 100 Horses), one of the oldest and largest trees in the world. Lava flows have formed caves and grottoes, used as shelter and ice stores.
The summit height is constantly in flux due to mounting volcanic debris ejected during explosions and frequent landslides. The Central Crater, the Northeast Crater and the Southeast Crater emit a constant stream of sulphuric gas.
Visitors can hook up with a trained guide at the Rifugio Sapienza Etna Sud, on the southern slope. Walks start at the top cable-car station; they vary in length and sometimes include a jeep transfer to see lava flows.
- Tel: 095 916 356
- north Etna (Linguaglossa) Tel: 095 64095 647 833
- south Etna (Nicolosi) Tel: 095 791 47 55
Molten lava is more than 500° C (930° F). In places, the constant flow, 2 m (6.5 ft) underfoot, causes the snow to melt.
This crater was created by partial collapse of the volcano wall. It covers 7 km by 5 km (4.5 miles by 3 miles) and has walls more than 1,000 m (3,000 ft) high. In 1991 a vent opened, releasing lava into the valley for two years.
Hikes on lower slopes and towards the crater are possible, safety permitting. Tourist offices provide maps and guides.
In 1928, lava wiped out coastal Mascali (the only town destroyed in the 20th century), vast tracts of farm land and 550 buildings. The 1950s, 1960s and 1970s brought danger to Milo, Fornazzo, Zafferana and Sant’Alfio. A massive eruption in 1979 killed nine tourists. Between 1991 and 1993, the authorities dropped huge concrete blocks from helicopters to stop lava near Zafferana. In 1999–2002 ash covered Catania, closing the airport and roads. Lava flows in 2001 and 2002 destroyed visitors’ centres and the Etna Sud cable-car station. After a brief respite, there were relatively modest lava flows in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
