UNABATED.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19467, 14 November 1928, Page 9

UNABATED.

ETNA ERUPTION.

A GRAPHIC PICTURE

FLOW OF LAVA CONTINUES

(UHITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BY BLECTBIC TELEGBAPH —COPYRIGHT.) LONDON, November 12. A graphic picture of Mount Etna's desolation is specially cabled to the "Evening Standard" from Sicily. The disaster has rendered 5000 families homeless. It has wiped out three towns and 760 houses. Twenty-seven hundred acres and seven years' wine crop are withered. One of the world's richest lemon tree valleys is buried. Bridges, railways, and roads have been overwhelmed. The eruption oontinues unabated. Great clouds of smoke and fire are coming from the new crater far from the summit.

The correspondent followed the lava stream for six miles, starting a few hundred yards from the crater, where intense heat brought him to a standstill. He says:—"A smoke pall a mile hipjh hangs over the crater. Now and again a gigantic wall of fire sweeps skywards. The air is thick with small pellets and hot rocks. A red wave spills over the edge and forces its wav downward. Each gust adds thousands of tons to the stream, which means that it progresses at least five yards further. After five hours' walk I reached Mascali. Here there is a solid wall, 100 feet high, vertically across the one-time town square. Only seven houses are left. Meanwhile, the stream is flowing on eastward of Mascali. The roar and smoke are unceasing, as trees and isolated houses are devoured. Carraba is yet untouched, although its doom is sealed. Lava is to-day on its outskirts, but it is with the utmost difficulty that the peasants can be induced to leave. '"The evacuation is a more patjietic sight than the desolation. It is impossible to forecast a cessation of the eruption. Last night the crater was quieter, but to-day it is more active. The township of Giarre must be saved at all costs. Hanpily the danger is not immediate The stream will probably reach the sea and form a new headland, iust as a neighbouring headland was formed 4000 years ago." Professor Ponte estimates that Mount Etna has yet to disgorge twice as much lava as has hitherto swopt the country. He regards the disaster as the worst since 1669. when the eruption lasted for nearly a year. Nunsiata lias now been blotted out. A feature of the eruption is its electrical nature. On Saturday, terrific explosions occurred among the clouds of cinders, followed by whirlwinds. —Australian Press Association.