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Etna is one of the largest continental volcanoes. The base of the volcano
is about 36 by 24 miles (60 x 40 km). Below an elevation of about 9,500
feet (2,900 m) Etna is a shield. The upper 1,200 feet (400 m) is a stratovolcano
made of several coalesced vents. Much of the surface of the volcano is
covered by historic lava flows. Most eruptive products are made of andesite.
The eruption rate of Etna is about one-sixth that of Kilauea.
In mythology, Etna was identified as the location of the forge of Volcan,
home of the Cyclopses, and where the giant Enceladus laid (eruptions being
his breath and earthquakes his motion). Etna's beauty, frequent eruptions,
and long record of eruptions makes it one of the world's best known volcanoes.
With hundreds of papers published on nearly every aspect of Etna's geology
it is probably one of the world's most studied volcanoes.
MORE
INFO:
link
to Regione Sicilia site
link
to Azienda Autonoma del Turismo site
link to
excusions from Nicolosi
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