Publication Date:
2022-01-11
Description:
Mt Etna has made headlines over the last weeks and months with spectacular
eruptions, some of them highly explosive. This type of paroxysmal eruptive
behaviour is characteristic of Etna’s activity over the past few decades and so
it is no surprise that Etna is among the most active volcanoes worldwide. Etna
is well-known for its extraordinary geology and due to its repeated eruptive
activity it provides a continuous supply of new scientific opportunities to
understand the inner workings of large basaltic volcanic systems. In addition
to its scientific value, Etna is also a world famous tourist attraction and has
been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013 for its geological and
cultural value and not least for its fine agricultural products. Etna’s status as
an iconic volcano is not a recent phenomenon; in fact, Etna has been a literary
fixture for at least 3000 years, giving rise to many ancient myths and legends
that mark it as a special place, deserving of human respect. From the ancient
eruptions to the latest events in February–April 2021, people try to explain and
understand the processes that occur within and beneath the volcano. In this
article, we briefly summarize the recent eruptive activity of Etna as well as the
ancient myths and legends that surround this volcano, from the underground
forge of Hephaestus to the adventures of Odysseus, all the way to the benefits
and dangers the volcano provides to those living on its flanks today.
Description:
Published
Description:
141-149
Description:
2TM. Divulgazione Scientifica
Description:
N/A or not JCR
Keywords:
Etna, mythology, 2021 paroxysms, economy
;
04.08. Volcanology
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
article
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