Etna

Etna is the Europe’s largest active volcano

Its summit elevation is 3340 metres, but this number changes because the eruption phenomenons.

The name

About the name’s origin there are diverse hypothesis.
For someone it comes from Greek and Latin languagges, other refer to the Phoenician word “athana”, which means “furnace”.

In Sicily the volcano is known as “Mongibello” that means “Mountain”.

Eruptions

Etna has a long eruption history of thousands years.

-The first documented eruption was on 1500 BC, but Etna is remembered for the dramatic eruption of 1669: many etna villages as Misterbianco were completely destroyed or severely damaged, and some of these were never rebuilt and their ancient locations are unknown.

The West part of Catania was hit and all the centre with Castello Ursino were encircled by lava flows.
A small part of the city was destroyed, and important historic attractions as church of San Nicolò l’Arena and the Benedictines monastery suffered heavy damages.

-The more recent eruption started on october 2002 and ended on january 2003.

Before the real eruption there were seismic phenomenons under the soil of etna villages on semptember.

The eruption began at midnight on 26 october 2002.

The situation was very difficult because of the fall of vulcanic sand. Catania and etna villages have suffered the effect of the volcano activity: the International Airport of Catania Fontanarossa had to be closed, and getting out from own home was a difficult thing to do.

The tourist structures were destroyed and the seismic events demaged the village of Santa Venerina.

Nowaday by climbing Etna is possible to see the damages of lava flow of 2002-2003.

Live near Etna

What it is the risk of living near a volcano as Etna?

Etna’s eruptions represent a real threat to human properties because the eruption and the fall of volcanic sand.

But an important characteristic of this volcano is that it hasn’t explosive eruption, but implosive one. Etna’s typical activity is not Plinian, that is the most violent type of explosive eruption. Explosive eruptions on Etna are rare and limited to the summit area.

Etna rarely kills people, and one of the benefits of living near the volcano is that volcanic soil is very fertile.

The “Valle del Bove”.

This valley was formed because the Etna’s eastern flank suffered a catastrophic sector collapse.

Nowaday the most part of the floor of the Valle del Bove is covered by lava erupted during the 20th century, making it one of the most hostile and least accessible areas on Etna, such as a lunar landscape.

Landscape
Volcano Etna has many woods with hidden trails, and they are magical places to visit.

But you should be careful: during your hiking you have to hear what
your guide tell you about the place for your safety.

You can hike on the eruption places and admire that wild scenario. So wild that
some scientists have made astronomical experiment useful for moon’s studies
because the characteristics of Etna soil are similar to Lunar soil.

The eruption places
are in the higher points of Nicolosi, Linguaglossa, Belpasso and Zafferana, where you
can admire the wonderful Bove Valley, a valley full of lava.

Legend

Climbing Etna is possible to see Philosopher Tower, a high refuge seat in a place
where a long time ago was attended a rudimentary construction that legend ascribes
to Empedocle, a philosopher from Agrigento lived about V century a. C.

The Legend tells that he hurled himself inside the crater to demonstrate his divine nature.

Well, the ancient construction visible until XVIII century the was the Empedocle refuge for his studies about Etna nature.

But another explanation tell us more, in fact maybe the Emperor Adriano ordered
to build a refuge because he liked to hike on Volcano Etna.

The unique attestation of this ancient bulding is that one of the artist Jean Houel, that made a work incision art of this object when he climbed on Etna.

Bike on Etna

There are many itinerary for Etna bike tour:
-You can do a Etna tour bike link
-It is also possible bike along the Etna cycle track in Castiglione di Sicilia LInk Sicily cycle tracks
-You can do a tour along the way that connects the Etna villages visiting Zafferana, Santa Venerina, Randazzo, Bronte, Nicolosi, Linguaglossa their beautiflu attractions
LInk Etna villages one day bike tour
But the best is Etna tour bike, along the Alcàntara valley and Amazing landscape of Volcano. Link Etna tour bike
Biking to reach the refuges of Linguaglossa and Nicolosi to see the effect of lava eruption of 2002-2003.
A very hard itinerary that must be joined with hiking, because beyong 2000 m of altitude using bike will be very difficult.