| Mt. Etna - Daytime View of the 2001 Eruption There have been more than 200
known eruptions of Mt. Etna recorded in the geological strata since 6000BC. This makes Mt. Etna one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Even so,
Etna is not a killer volcano.
Since man started recording events some 3500 years ago less than 80 deaths have been attributed to Mt. Etna. This low fatality rate is attributed to several factors. First, because it is a very active volcano, catastrophic eruptive forces, such as the Mt. Saint Helens eruption, do not develop. Second, inhabited areas are not situated in dangerous proximity to the volcanic vents. Third, due to the viscous nature of the lava the pyroclastic flows slow to just tens of feet per hour by the time they extend a kilometer or more away from the
emissive vent.
Here are some photos taken form a friends balcony
and roof-top in Nicolosi just outside of the Sicilian city of Catania.
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