Italy's Mount Etna

Sicily's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain. To the ancient Greeks, Mount Etna was the realm of Vulcan, god of fire, and the home of the one-eyed monster known as the Cyclops. At approximately 3350 meters, it is Europe's highest active volcano. The size of the summit changes with each eruption, and over the centuries a few lava flows have reached the coast. Over 1200 square meters of Etna's surface is covered with solidified lava. Etna offers skiing in the Winter months and breathtaking hikes in the woods during the Summer. There are also a number of smaller peaks on the slopes of Etna, and some interesting caverns. Since Etna is a strato volcano, with relatively cool lava temperatures and numerous openings (vents), nobody ever knows precisely where on its vast surface the next eruption will be.
July 30,2001-For a two weeks, Europe's highest and most active volcano has been sending out huge clouds of smoke and black ash and rivers of lava, leading the government to declare a state of emergency in the area.
　
Two lava flows are working their way down the volcano's southern side, one of which emerged from a new fissure that cracked open on Wednesday at a height of 7,000 feet.