Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-04-01
Etna Now in the Spotlight.

Probably the greatest eruption oil
modern ages has been that of Mt.
Etua. the largest volcano in Europe,
an isolated maintain situated on the
east coast of Sicily Its baseiS near
Is Iincty miles in circumference and
from this it rises like an immense
cone to the height of nearly ii, 900
feet. The first recorded eruption
of Etna was in 40 B. c. Eruptions
varying in degree have happened at
intervals of from ten to twenty years
and there is scarcely year when the
surrounding country is not reminded
of the mighty forces of Nature ever
ready to scatter destruction disas-
ter and death to the surrounding
country.
There have been, within the past
few days fifty distinct earth-shocks,
and the ground for many miles is con-
tinually trembling. Twelve craters
have opened. The meteorological
station has been destroyed. A large
number OF peasants cottages have
been buried in ashes and lava, villa
ges and towns abandoned, and the
panic stricken inhabitants are carry
ing images and imploring mercy.
Prof Rico, Director of Mt. Etna
Observatory. says: The eruption
is very grave, and l think it will be-
come much more serious. The lava
has covered five miles in sixteen
hours, and if my calculations are not
at fault the end is not yet in sight. !"
The Project of Catania, returning
from the scene. said: q have wit
messed scene of dessolation and
ruin which only those who saw the
eruption of Vesuvius in 1906 can i'm
agine. The present eruption can DE
compared to no other"
A correspondent says: Twelve miles
away in an airline from the peak a
thick curtain of smoke conceals Etna.
Now and then it is illuminated with
flashes appearing almost red. The
rain of cinders become thicker as
the correspondent proceeded, and ex
tended like a veil across the mountain.
A deep roaring raS heard, detOna-
tons like the sound of artillery fol-
lowed one another in quick succession
and the earth shook under foot.
A little further along four colossal COL
umns of smoke could be seen occasion
ally streaked with flashes of fire. The
wind opened the clouds for moment
and there was disclosed wide strip
of fire and lava falling like a cataract
from Mount CapriOlO, spreading out
in the valley below. The lava flow
had already reached the vineyards
above San Leo and Rinazzo, seven
miles from the crater. 1t came in sew
eral streams and united in one great
stream 20 feet deep and 1900 feet
wide. running at three or four feet q
minute. This mighty torrent of lava
was yesterday not more than five miles
from Belpasso and Niclosi. Latest
reports from Nicolosi say that the
lava current is moving at the rate of
about one hundred feet an an hour
and that it has passed over Mount
San Leo.
The most noted eruptions of Etna
of late years. occurred in 1882. 1852,
1865, 1863, 1874 and 1879. The most
remarkable that preceded these was
eight centuries ago Tin 1869 when
Catania and 1900 of its inhabitants
were destroyed. In 1873 an i'm
mense volume OF water rushed down
the mountain, but it is probable that
it was caused by sudden melting of
the SHOWS which had covered the
big peak. The eruption of 1852 was
one of the most remarkable OF the
past century. Immense clouds of
gray ashes we're elected which COW
cred the whole of the surrounding
country. From two new mouths.
there issued vast torrents of lava.
One stream was two miles wide and
in some places $50 feet deep. 1t
moved at the rate Of 600 feet an
hour, and when it descended abrupt
cliffs on the mountain side. it was
precipitated like a torrent of fiery
cascades.
In 1886. another alarming eruption
happened, in which the entire dis.
trict was enveloped in darkness, dur
ing the fiery discharge Of lava stones.
ash and smoke, and the town Of Nj
oolosi was nearly destroyed.
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