The Mongibello stratovolcano, truncated by several small calderas, was constructed during the late Pleistocene and Holocene over an older shield volcano. The most prominent morphological feature of Etna is the Valle del Bove, a 5 x 10 km horseshoe-shaped caldera open to the east.

Etna forms part of an extended volcanic runing from Roman and Campanian volcanic province in wester Italy to the island of eastern Greece, and which owes its existence to continuing collision between the african and eurasian plates.

Two styles of eruptive activity typically occur at Etna. Persistent explosive eruptions, sometimes with minor lava emissions, take place from one or more of the four prominent summit craters:

1) Central Crater or Voragine (“the chasm”)

2) NE Crater (formed in 1911)

3) SE Crater (formed in 1971)

4) Bocca Nuova (formed 1968).

Flank vents, typically with higher effusion rates, produce eruptions from fissures that open progressively downward from near the summit (usually accompanied by strombolian eruptions at the upper end). Cinder cones are commonly constructed over the vents of lower flank lava flows. Lava flows extend to the foot of the volcano on all sides and have reached the sea over a broad area on the SE flank.

Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe, and is one of the largest continental volcanoes. It is located on the island of Sicily, 18 miles (29 km) north of the city of Catania. The 10,991-foot (present summit height is more than 3300 m 3,350-meter) volcano covers 460 square miles (1,190 square kilometers).

Mt. Etna is (alt. 3300 m) the highest volcano in Europe. Its base has a diameter of 212 km. The territory surrounding the volcano constitutes the Parco dell’Etna (Etna Park), which includes 18 towns in the provinces of Messina and Catania and covers 57,000 hectares (220 sq miles) – one of the largest protected areas in Italy.

The origins of the volcano are to be found in the area of Aci Castello and Aci Trezza, going back some 500,000/600,000 years. Subsequently the Valle Colonna-Valle del Bove system was formed, also known as “Premordial Etna”. This system collapsed, and after a dormant period the present-day Etna was formed. It is also called Mongibello (or ‘a Muntagna). One characteristic of the present volcanic formation of Etna is the variability of the shape of the eruptive cone, depending whether the eruptive activity is constructive or destructive, which is the main factor in determining variations in the volcano’s altitude.

Its intensive avtivity even today has not prevented the population of its slopes, where Catania itself stands, and has determined, according the the various historical moments, an adaptation of the flora to various situations that have never been longlasting. Climbing from the lower slopes, washed by the sea and often barren, we encounter interesting forms of vegitation, among which citrus fruits and vineyards predominate. At higher altitudes, above chestnut and hazelnut woods, we find oaks and holm-oaks, apple orchards, pines and beech-trees, and even higher (300m) the plants that are really typical of Etna, such as the birch tree, broom and the Etna violet.

Although among the fauna the larger mammals have been lost, we can still find various medium-sized mammals such as porcupines, foxes, martens, rabbits and hares. Among the smaller mammals are dormice, stoats and hedgehogs.

Among the birds, we see not only common crows and ravens, but also some rare birds of prey, including the golden eagle.

Lake Gurrida, a seasonal phenomenon, welcomes herons and ducks. Other birds, many of them songbirds, are to be found in the woods. The fauna is completed by vipers, dangerous only when disurbed, frogs and insects.

The ferrovia circumetnea (round-Etna railway) was awaited with with great enthusiasm and expectancy in the 19th century. Travelling on it today we can enjoy views of Etna from a thousand different angles. The writer Edmondo de Amicis described his “exploration” in 1908.

Of the numerous eruptions in the past, one is described by Pindarus and Aeschylus, that of 475 BC. There were numerous eruptions in the 19th century (1853-86 and 1898). In the 20th century there have been serious eruptions in 1908, 1910-11 (with earth-quakes), 1928, 1957-58, 1971, 1983 and 1991-2. In fact, Etna has been active for the last two years (1999-2000), so much so that a couple of live-cams have been installed there to monitor the activity.

About its name

The name “Etna” comes from the Greek Aitne, from aitho, meaning “I burn.” The Roman name was Aetna.

Mythology

In mythology, Etna was identified as the location of the forge of Volcan, home of the Cyclopses, and where the giant Enceladus slumbered. Earthquakes are said to be his motions and eruptions through the volcano his fiery breath.

Activity

There have been about 90 eruptions since records were kept in the 18th century. The eruption in 1991-93 was the largest in 300 years. The frequency of eruptions and long period since they were first recorded makes Etna one of the most studied volcanoes in the world. MORE

The Etna Volcano Park

To protect its unique environment the Etna Volcano Park was created in 1987. The park is divided into four zones: a large area where there is no human activity and which is home to wildlife, a zone of small agricultural tracts and human dwellings dating back to antiquity, and two zones set aside for tourism.

Fauna

Animals that lived on Etna’s slopes 150 years ago included wild boars, wolves, and deer. These disappeared from the area because of human activity, leaving porcupines, foxes, wild cats, rabbits, weasels, rodents, bats, and many birds found on the volcano today.

During the First Punic War, Catania was the first city in Sicily to submit to the Romans but continued to maintain a friendly relation with Rome and because of this friendship Catania becam a highly prosperous city under the Roman rule.

By 535, much like the remainder of Sicily, Catania fell under the Byzantine Empire rule and was considered one of the most important Sicilian cities but most of the city was destroyed in the 1169 earthquakes as well as the a 1693 lava flows from Mount Etna that ran right over the top of the city. The city of Catania has been buried by a recorded 7 lava flow from Mount Etna.

The city of Catania was also the birth-place of Charondas who was not only a philosopher but a legislator as well.

Although many of the city’s ancient monuments have been destroyed over the years by a plethora of earthquakes those that exist are the Theater which was built in the 2nd century, the Amphitheater which was also built in the 2nd century and the Odeon which was built in the 3rd century.

Some of the most notable places to visit while in Catania are the Cathedral, the Saint Agatha’s Abbey, the Sant’Agata la Vetere, the Sant’Agata alla Fornace, St. Francis which houses the remains of Eleanor of Sicily, St. Benedict, Basilica Collegiata which was built in the 18th century, the Biscari Palace, the Elephants Palace, the Reburdone Palace, the Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena, the Villa Cerami, the Castello Ursino which was built by Frederick II during the 13th century, the church of Santa Maria del Gesù which was built in the 16th century and the Porta Ferdinandea which was built in 1768.

Catania attempted to build a subway system during the 1990′s through to the early 2000′s, but these underground railways were never completed probably due to the river Amanano which runs under the city and it only visible at one point in its underground passage.

There are also several favorite parks in the city which include the Parco dell’Etna which is a park dedicated to the Mount Etna Volcano, the La Timpa which is a natural park, the Riserva naturale Cavagrande del Cassibile which is also a natural park, the Isola Bella a natural made park as well as the Isole Ciclopi which is a Marine Park.