MOUNT ETNA IN ERUPTION

Otago Witness, Issue 2924, 30 March 1910, Page 27

MOUNT ETNA IN ERUPTION

ROME, March 23. Mount Etna is again in eruption, and discharging, lava and red-hot stones. Frequent sjjpcks of earthquake have been felt at Catania and Messina. March 24. Ten craters on Etna are now throwing out lava, which threatens seve , " r ; llages. March 25. The lava from four of the craters has joined, and has made a.-stream 1500 ft wide and 12ft deep. The stream, which is descending at the rate of half a mile hourly, ha* destroyed the villages of Capriclo' and Baa'ello, and is threatening Belpasso. The - inhabitants are placing sacred relics in front of their houses. ' -'" Twenty-three earthquake shocks were registered at the Mount Etna. Observatory in eight hours. MaTch 26. Etna's violence is increasing. Five new craters are active. Crowds of tourists are watching th« advancing lava. Many religious processions are parading, and the churches are crowded with panic-stricken people, who are praying. The upper craters are hurling stones like volcanic bombs.

A later report states that the lava is advancing at the rate of a metre per minute upon Bolpasso, where Cardinal Nava has taken the miraculous veil of Saint Agatha to stop the flow. -«-

March 27

The eruption at- Mount Etna is the sequel to an abortive outbreak in April, 1908. The central crater is in active operation. The sp.ectacle at night is most impressive. A stream of lava several kilometres in length is first seen descending like a burning rampart,' whence cascades of fire are falling.' The heat is so fierce that it is impossible to approach within 40 yards. Detonations take place at intervals like gunfire; then sounds like rain and hail falling. Last night's reassuring reports of the diminished activity continue, though the volume of lava near San Leo has increased, and caused much damage to property. March 28* There are 60,000 sightseers at the foofi of Mount Etna. Etna rises to a height of 10.840 feet above the Mediterranean, and its slopes are divided into three distinct zones. The highest is a desert belt of lava a.nd scoria, terminating in snow: the niddle one is covered with forests of chestnuts, oaks, and l other large trees; the lower is covered! with cultivated field**, orchards, and vineyards. The lowest zone extends to % height of 2500 feet, and is thickly populated. An Engl.i=n visitor savs that it is among the most densely-populated agricultural districts in the world. Cultivators have pushed their way farther and farther up the slopes. "In the triangular area of which the three corners are formed: by Catania, Nicoiosi, and Acireale. there are as manv as 3500 per square mile. And if Etna suddenly took it into its head to become active? Well, let us live for the present, and not worry ourselves about what may never occur. There will be an eruption some time; there must be an eruption, because these things happed on an average every nine years. But we urast trust to the good God and to the Blessed Virgin and the most holy saints to save us as they have saved our fathers before us."