ETNA IN ERUPTION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 March 1910, Page 3

ETNA IN ERUPTION.

[PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.] ROME, March 29. There has been a further vigorous eruption at Etna. Lava is now evading the Fra Diavolo district. The stream, which is 400 yards broad, is steadily devastating the orchards and vineyards at San Leo. There is a. thick rain of ashes and small stones. Tho continuous and loud rumblings aie having a terrifying effect on the people,. Etna uses to a height of 10,840 feet above the Mediterranean, and is slopes are divided into three distinct zones. The highest is a desert belt of lava and scoria, terminating in snow ; the middle one is e.ivered with forests of

chestnuts, oaks, and other large trees; tlm lower is covered with cultivated fields, orchards and vineyards This lowest zone extends to a height of 2500 feet, and is thcikly populated. An English visitor says that, it is among the most densely-populated agricultural districts in the world. Cultivators have pushed their way further ami tun her up the slopes. “In the triangular area of which the ilree corners are formed by Catania, Ntcolosi. and Acireah 1 . there are ;i> many as 3500 people |ht sq. mile. And if Etna suddenly took it into iis head to become ;i<■ *i\ • Well, let. US live for the present., and not worry run selves about what may never occur There will be an eruption sometime; iheie mu-t be an eruption, because these .mo happen on an average every lllll" Will's Rill We lUII--I. Inlet to the goi.ul (eod and In the Blessed Virgin and the most holy saints to save us as they hare saved uir lathers 'ilsie are t• ■ u,b ip.m \ err early lins ", oi i nipt ions .■: lit na. A 11 reek hist.uian mentions that in an eruption that took pice • about 425 B.( .. a lava stream .-a use. I gi.-at list i m-t nut m i!u ■ island since it was settle.) by the Creeks. In the great eruption of ]669 the lava streams that flowed down the mountain destroyed toiirteen towns and Ullages, and at length reached tat via. A great wall sixty feet high had been raised round the city, but Ihe molten tin k accit mu late,! until 11 (opjii .I I lie wail, and flowed -.wr it. and or , i w helmed pat t of i he city ,