Posted on 07/17/2006 6:43:31 PM PDT by blam
Etna awakes with storm of fire and lava
By Malcolm Moore, Rome Correspondent
(Filed: 18/07/2006)
Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, threw fire and rocks more than 800ft into the air yesterday.
Spectacular: The explosions are coming from two holes near to the top of the volcano
Etna, which is almost 11,000ft high, sits 18 miles from Catania on Sicily's east coast. Several villages lie on its lower slopes, but the Italian government said yesterday that the lava was flowing away from them, and that there was no immediate danger.
The explosions are coming from two holes near to the top of the volcano, creating a lava field more than a mile long which is flowing at a rate faster than 90 cubic feet a minute. Even though the eruption has continued for three days, scientists said it had lost little of its force.
Etna is in an almost constant state of activity, but is not considered particularly dangerous and its slopes are home to farms and vineyards that make use of the rich volcanic soil. The last major eruption was in 2002.
Every time a volcano erupts, there is an earthquake, or any other disaster strikes, some people can't help but start singing "It's the end of the world as we know it..."
LOL!
Are you SURE of that?
I would be too much of a wimp to live there.
No danger? Alrighty then.....!
We are all going to die!
Guys! I am in Sigonella as we speak and I had no idea this happened!!!!! I can see the volcano from my window. This is how important FREEPERS is. I find out more info on this website...I love it. This is a serious story. I had no idea and not one person at work mentioned it.
My begonias died last weekend. I think it's a sign of the end of the world.
Excellent.
FReepers are everywhere!
Etna is erupting right now this May 1st. Can you see it??
Nah, I'm in Mobile.
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