The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-23
Mount Etna,

The new eruption of Mount Etna, accompanied
by earthquake and other indications of a
more than usual display, causes renewed inter
est in this celebrated volcano Mount Etna is
remarkable not only from its isolated position,
but likewise on account of the beauty of its con-
tour, the lurid sheen of it's incandescent lavas,
and the column of smoke arising from its sum
init. From whatever side Sicily be approached,
the snowy head of Etna is seen rising high above
ell the surrounding mountains. 1t occupies an
area of no less than AGO square miles. During
the last 1000 years, Mount Etna has had more
than hundred eruptions, some of them con-
tinulng for number of years. Hitherto it has
not been possible to trace any regularity in
these outbursIs. They appear to occur
at irregular intervals, and the quantity
of lava poured forth from the prin-
cipal or any subsidiary cone varies
exceedingly. The most considerable stream of
lava of which we have any record was that
which overwhelmed the city of Catania in 500.
A few days later streams of lava broke forth
from chasms which opened in different parts of
the mountain, and fourteen villages were de-
stroYed. To protect the city of Catania its walls
next to the mountains had been raised to the
height OF sixty feet, but the lava rose steadily
until it overtopped the rampant, ANA poured cas-
,ade of liquid fire into the midst of the houses.
This lava so hot at Catania eight years
after it entered the town that it was impossible
to hold the hand in some of the crevices. 1t
swept away part of the town, filed up its port,
and formed promontory instead. The quantity
of lava poured forth at that time has been est-
mated at 1852, 5000 of cubic feet and nearly
forty square miles of fertile land, supporting
population of 20, 900 souls, was converted into a
stony waste. The eruption of 1855 was remark
able for a great inundation caused by the flow of
two streams Of lava upon vast collection of
snow. For eight miles down the TANKS of the
mountain the torrent poured, sweeping on the
loose scoria and blocks OF lava, which were de-
posted in the plains below. In 1928, when the
whole country was parched with excessive heat
a quarry of perennial ice opened under a
stratum of lava, situated that this must have
flowed in melted state at some distant period
over the snow, which, suggested by Sir
Charles Lyell, was no doubt protected from the
action of the heat by previous covering of fine
dust and scoria.
The earliest recorded eruption of Etna is one
mentioned by Diodoms Siculus, which caused
the Scani to desert its vicinity and move further
to the south No date is given, but it appears to
have happened before the Trojan war The next
three eruptons are referred to by Thucydides,
of which, according to his narrative, one was in
AIS B. c., one in 425, and one at an earlier
time not clearly specified The most important
of those happening later occurred III 169 1862
1855, 1887, 1892, 1852 and 1868. Despite its
many subterranean disturbances and overhows
Mount Etna is very fertile, and its sides are
thickly covered with vineyards and villages.
1t is much less dangerous to life than is Mount
Vesuvius, there being no discharge of stones as
from the latter. The extreme height of Mount
Etna is 1886 feet, and while not reaching the
line of perennial snow, it's summit is nearly al
ways covered with frost, and i'll winter with con-
siderable snow, though glaciers are ever
found. More than 100000 people dwell on the
slopes of the mountain, and town succeeds town
along It's base, and from the rim of the crater
the mountan-cimber looks down groves of
olive, orange, lemon, and other fruit trees IN
the midst of which rise clumps of palaces, and
villas, chu rches, and monasteries.
DURING last month tax amounting to $943.247
accrued on 936.94l gallons of spirits held in
bond. Much of this is now being Withdrawn for
expectation, as thirty days after tax accrues are
given in which to pay the tax before the spirits
proceeded against, and at any time prior to