Saturday, September 8, 2012
Where did I get all my brilliant information from? Look and you will see . . .
My two main books used were:
Cheers, G 2007, Geologica, Millenium House, Elanora Heights.
Luhr, J 2003, Earth, Dorling Kindersley, London.
The main website I used was:
Bell, J N.d, Mount Etna - Itlay, Geology.com, accessed 09 September 2012, <http://geology.com/volcanoes/etna/>
But I would also like to say a big thanks to all those other websites that helped me along the way such as:
http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/sicilian-wine-from-mount-etna
http://www.mountetna.net/etna-tours/classic-etna-experience-day-tour
Cheers, G 2007, Geologica, Millenium House, Elanora Heights.
Luhr, J 2003, Earth, Dorling Kindersley, London.
The main website I used was:
Bell, J N.d, Mount Etna - Itlay, Geology.com, accessed 09 September 2012, <http://geology.com/volcanoes/etna/>
But I would also like to say a big thanks to all those other websites that helped me along the way such as:
http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/sicilian-wine-from-mount-etna
http://www.mountetna.net/etna-tours/classic-etna-experience-day-tour
So what are the disadvantages of Mount Etna?
Well, there is the obvious - the Sicilians are in constant worry especially those that live in Sicily's largest city, Catania. Death is very imminent. Although they class this volcano as not very dangerous, it is still very destructive. Etna has produced ash falls, and mudflows, but the lava flows are the most immediately
hazardous type of activity, especially to the city of Catania.While the flows themselves usually do not move fast enough to threaten
humans, they can cover large areas and destroy crops and buildings. If a fissure erupts, evacuating the inhabitants of towns and cities near the volcano would be a huge challenge.
How about a hike around Mount Etna?
Yep, Mount Etna is a tourist attraction. Need proof?
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| Pictures from mountetna.net |
Would you care for a glass of Sicilian wine?
Volcanic eruptions, wildly unpredictable weather, steep slopes: Mount
Etna is an insane place to produce wine. But its winemakers have an
intensity to match its extremes. quotes Megan Krigbaum, author of this article: http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/sicilian-wine-from-mount-etna
For all those wine-lovers out there: Top Wines of Sicily
So now there is proof that there are advantages to living very close to a still dormant volcano!
For all those wine-lovers out there: Top Wines of Sicily
2009 Graci Etna Rosso ($28)
Winemaker Alberto Graci blends grapes from both old and new vineyards to make this focused, strawberry-rich Nerello Mascalese.2007 Biondi Outis Etna Rosso ($35)
Grapes from all five of Ciro Biondi's vineyards go into this fresh-berried blend of local varieties Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio.2011 Planeta Carricante ($40)
Alessio Planeta, a red-wine specialist, is focusing on white-grape varieties on Etna. This Carricante, his second vintage, is bright and aromatic.2008 Tenuta Delle Terre Nere Santo Spirito Etna Rosso ($40)
This cherry-scented Nerello comes from the great Santo Spirito vineyard, on Mount Etna's north side.2008 Tasca D'Almerita Tascante ($70)
Seventh-generation winemaker Giuseppe Tasca of Regaleali uses enormous old barrels for this ruby-red Nerello.Cornelissen Magma 8Va ($160)
Frank Cornelissen saves his best Nerello Mascalese grapes for his Magma bottling, a wine that he ages in terra-cotta amphorae set into the ground.So now there is proof that there are advantages to living very close to a still dormant volcano!
There must be something good about this volcano . . .
Yes, there is something that is very good about having a volcano so close to a town- the fertile soils (perfect for agriculture). Located on the slopes of Mount Etna is a patchwork of vineyards, olive groves and orchards. They are currently being used for growing citrus fruits, olives, figs, grapes, and other crops.They also as I hear produce very nice wine (no I am not an alcoholic - my dad is).Of course they would, thanks to the beautifully fertile soils around that area. The soil is also ideal for growing rice but of course there are still dangers of an eruption causing the Sicilians to lose all their crops.
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| A Sicilian vineyard growing in the shadow of Mount Etna. The inhabitants of Sicily must balance the advantage of rich volcanic soil with the dangers of losing their crops and farms to an eruption from the still-active volcano. Picture from geology.com |
A Roman poet's impression of one of Mount Etna's eruptions
The Roman poet, Virgil gave what was probably a first-hand description of an eruption (thanks to Wikipedia):
- A spreading bay is there, impregnable
- To all invading storms; and Aetna's throat
- With roar of frightful ruin thunders nigh.
- Now to the realm of light it lifts a cloud
- Of pitch-black, whirling smoke, and fiery dust,
- Shooting out globes of flame, with monster tongues
- That lick the stars; now huge crags of itself,
- Out of the bowels of the mountain torn,
- Its maw disgorges, while the molten rock
- Rolls screaming skyward; from the nether deep
- The fathomless abyss makes ebb and flow.
—Virgil
Now for the bad part: eruptions of Mount Etna
There has (unfortunately) been many eruptions in the past and are still occuring. The most recent eruption so far was recorded on the 5th of January, 2012. Sending up huge blasts after a short build-up during the night. It is still continuously active. The first eruption ever recorded was recorded over 2, 500 years ago, in 1500 BCE. For some weird reason - the Sicilians call it a good volcano!! Because its not considered a very dangerous volcano. The most famous eruption in 1991 lasted a WHOPPING 473 DAYS!!!!!!!!! and I am not joking! This volcano produces basaltic lava of low viscosity. Here is a link of all the recorded eruptions: http://www.volcanolive.com/etna2.html
Okay, now I know where Mount Etna is - what does it look like???
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| Picture from geology.com |
Tell me - where is this beautiful volcano located?
This volcano is located in the boot. No, not your boot! Italy, of course! To be specific - south-west of Italy's mainland; on the eastern side of the Mediterranean island of Sicily. There is a town you may know around there too - ever heard of Catania or Messina???
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| from geology.com |
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