The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-04-13
MOUNT ETNA.
Some Account of the Famous Volcano Now
in Eruption.

The new eruption of Mount Etna, accom-
panied by an earthquake and other indica-
tions of more than usual display, causes re-
newed interest in this celebrated volcano.
Mount Etna is remarkable not only for its
Isolated position, but likewise Oh account Of
the beauty of its contour, the lurid sheen of
its incandescent lavas, and the column of
smoke arising from its summit. From
whatever side Sicily be approached, the
snowy head of Etna is seen rising high above
the surrounding mountains. IL occupies an
area of no less than AGO square miles. Dur
ing the last 1000 years, Mount Etna has had
more than a hundred eruptions, some of
them continuing for a number of years.
Hitherto 1t has not been possible to trace
any regularity in these outbursts. They aP-
pear to occur at irregular Intervals, and the
quantity of lava poured forth from the prin-
cipal or any subsidiary cone varies exceed
ingly. The most considerable stream of
lava of which we have any record was that
which overwhelmed the city Of Catanla In
1860. A few days later streams Of lava
broke forth from cbasms which opened in
different parts of the mountain, and fourteen
villages were destroyed. To protect the city
of Catania its walls next to the mountain
had been raised to the height of sixty feet.
but the lave rose steadily until IL orertopped
the rampant, and poured a cascade of liquid
fire into the midst of the houses. This lava
was so hot at Catania eight years after 1t
entered the town that it was impossible to
hold the hand In some of the crevices. 1t
swept away part of the town, filled up its
port, and formed a promontory instead. The
quantity of lava poured forth at that time
has been estimated at $685., 100000 of cubic
feet, and nearly forty square miles of fertile
land, supporting population of 10000 souls,
was converted into a stony waste. The
eruption of 1855 was remarkable for great
Of lava upon vast collection Of snow. For
eight miles down the flank Of the mountain
the torrent poured, sweeping on the loose
scoria and blocks of lava, which were de-
the whole country was parched with excess
i've heat, quarry of perennial ice was
opened under stratum of lava, so situated
that this must have flowed in melted state
as suggested by Sir Charles Lyell, was no
doubt protected from the action of the heat
by q previous covering of fine dust and
scoria.
e The earliest recorded eruption Of Etna is
one mentioned by Diodorus Siculus, which
caused the Sicani to desert Its vicinity and
move further to the south. No date Is given,
but 1t appears to have happened before the
Trojan war. The next three era2sions are
referred to by Thucydides, of which, accord
ing to his narrative, one was In 475 b. c.,
one In 425, and one at an earlier time not
clearly specified. The most important Of
those happening later occurred in 1869, l169,
1755, 17S7, 1902, 1852, and 1885, Despite
its many subterranean disturbances and
overfows, Mount Etna Is very fertile, and its
sides are thickly covered with vineyards and
NillhScs. lt IN LuuCu icoS uahEcioue W inv
than is Mount Vesuvius, there being no dis
charge of stones as from the latter. The ex-
treme height of Mount Etna is l0,S66 feet,
and while not reaching the line Of perennial
snow Its summit Is nearly always covered
with considerable snow, through no glaciers
are ever found. More than 300,0D0 people
dwell on the slopes Of the mountain, and
town succeeds town at its base, and from the
rim of the cralerthe nountain-climber looks
down on groves of olive, orange. lemon, and
other fruit trees, In the midst of which rise
clumps Of palaces, and villas, churches, and