Many people in Italy live on or near active volcanos.   During my years there, we lived about a third of the way up Mount Etna, in the village of Nicolosi.   Many of the town's most prominent features are volcanic cones and lava flows from both historic and prehistoric eruptions.   The historic eruptions featured slow lava flows which destroyed property but were otherwise very escapable.   Mount Etna is almost always active, with constant steam and minor ash clouds issuing from the summit.

Decomposed lava makes very fertile soil, and the slopes of Etna are covered with vineyards, prickly pear cactus, and almond trees.   The back yard vegetable garden produced tomatoes and zuchini of amazing size, quantity, and quality.   It was pretty easy to see what drew people back to the mountain.

At times during our stay, there were active lava flows coming down the path of a ski slope.   Every few days, the flow would advance a few hundred meters and topple another chair lift tower.   Experts warned that if the lava continued at this rate, our village might be in danger -- in several months.

On one occasion, there was a major "burp" that threw a large ash cloud up to the tropopause.   Our village ended up with a 2 to 4 centimeter "dusting" of pumice and ash, all easily swept off the walks and patio with a broom.   The sound of the heavier pieces falling on the ground closer to the summit, and getting closer, was quite disconcerting.   The following photos were taken from the Plain of Catania, late in the afternoon.   Closer to sunset, stars could be seen in the eastern shadow of the plume while it was still light to the south of the eruption.   All part of the excitement of living on a volcano.....

Check out the MediAmbienta web site for some very interesting maps, photos, and even web cam links of Etna, plus other information on Sicily.