Mt. Etna

Mount Etna (Latin: Aetna, Italian: Etna, Sicilian: Mungibeddu) is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of the island of Sicily, Italy. It is the tallest active volcano on the European continent and one of the most active in the world. Currently, Mount Etna stands 3,329 m high, covers an area of 1,190 km² and has a basal circumference of 140 km. In the region of Europe and North Africa, it is only surpassed by Mount Teide on Tenerife. The forges of Hephaestus (Greek: Ἥφαιστος, Hēphaistos) are said to be located underneath the mountain, according to Greek mythology.

Looking towards Mount Etna from my hotel balcony in Taormina.

Sicily, Italy ~ July 2009

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