Sicily’s Majestic Volcano Awakens!
This stunning photograph from Getty Images shows Sicily’s Mt. Etna erupting today! And here is dramatic video of it as well!
Wow! Another example of nature flexing its muscles!
As noted on many news reports:
Mount Etna is considered the most active volcano in Europe, and the most active stratovolcano in the world. A stratovolcano — what many people think of when they hear the word volcano — is the conical type, often with a central crater, that is formed by layer upon layer of lava from repeated eruptions over the millennia.
This dramatic photo shows people who were on the ridge across from the mountain fleeing the site and guess what?
Three years ago that was me!
That’s my wife Alex and I at the top of Mt. Etna’s ridge overlooking the smoking crater…a wild trip that showcased the power of the mountain!
We were part of a small group that accompanied Scientists who monitor the volcano – and now we know why! Here’s a look at what it was like for us up there:
So that was then and this is now:
It’s a great example of the power of nature! We loved walking around up there, here’s a look:
It was a great hike and you can see much more of it here:
We spent hours exploring Mt. Etna, and it was fascinating….I’ve already shared our adventures at the bottom of the mountain before – when Giocomo took us inside a lava cave:
Giocomo told us how the lava can form air pockets as it cools over time – allowing us to go inside a cave made completely of lava!
See more of our subterranean tour here:
One last thing about Etna: the volcanic soil is perfect for growing Cataratto grapes, perfect for medium-bodied wines like these:
Here’s a look at our delicious wine tasting and lunch at Planeta – a great Sicilian winery!
I also shared the story of Sicily’s “part time island!”
That’s right: it’s an island at high tide only!
Click here for some video of this terrific “part time” island!
The other Italian island we visited was Sardinia, where we discovered something really cool:
James Bond stayed here!
We discovered our Hotel was used by 007 – and you can see how and why by clicking on my story here:
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Categories: Exotic Travel, Italy, Memoirs, nature, Pop Culture, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir
johnrieber 
Wow! Being in the pathway of Mother Nature can be scary. Yes, run!
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Cool photos and video, glad nobody got hurt. Looks like you had a great hike when you were there
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Yes it was really special to be up there and agree that luckily everyone had enough warning to scatter…
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Wow, what an incredible adventure! Mt. Etna looks absolutely breathtaking, definitely adding it to my bucket list. Funny timing too, because while you were exploring lava caves, I’ve been knee-deep in my own “eruption” of sorts, cleaning out my garage with the help of a dumpster rental. It’s not quite as majestic as a volcano, but let me tell you, watching years of clutter disappear into that dumpster has been oddly satisfying! Maybe once I’m done, I’ll reward myself with a trip like this. Thanks for the inspiration!
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so interesting you shared that story because just three months ago I completely cleaned out our storage unit, moved everything into my garage, and spent a month combining and discarding all of the stuff so it would fit and not look like a hoarder’s house! Thanks for the comment!
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Yes, I know! One is hardly likely to get hurt! BUT! I am thrilled you have been and liked and told us with photos BUT. . . thank you 🙂 !
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Yikes! Timing is everything!
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runnnnn!
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For me it would be time to look for a way out….and quickly chuq
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Just goes to show that you should never underestimate nature! Luckily nobody was hurt.
Best wishes, Pete.
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When we were on top, they show you the path that lava took 20 years or so earlier when it wiped out the small ski chalet they have up there…that’s why they monitor it so closely, so no one gets hurt!
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