Mt. Etna

Etna: Volcanic Activity Doesn't Stop, But No Fear Yet
From AGI

Etna's volcanic activity continues across the eruptive fractures monitored by a thermal video camera. The two openings contained in the eastern slope of the south-east crater, at an altitude of around 3,050 meters and 3 thousand meters - according to the latest highlights released by the Catania section of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology - continue to feed the lava field, developing for a length of around 2 kilometres, that reverses in the high zone of Valle del Bove, with an average effusive rate of 2.6 cubic metres a second. Thus the phenomenon is currently kept in an area away from the residential and tourist centres. The Strombolian activity that continues at a rate of 3,100 metres on the eastern slope of the south-east crater has formed a cone of easily visible waste. By the observations of the thermal recordings it was possible to recognize at least three explosive openings along the eruptive fracture within the cone. The intensity is comparable to the one observed during the night of July 15 with launchings of shreds and bombs up to a height of 250 metres that fall back down at a rate of 2,800 metres. A sample of the effusive and coarser explosive products was carried out in order to perform petrography research and chemical analysis whose results will be revealed in the following hours.

Agrigento

Luis and I spent this weekend in the city of Agrigento on the island of Sicily. This city is situated at the top of a hill overlooking the 6th century B.C. Greek and Roman temples which were absolutely breathtaking. We went to each of the temples ruins and listened to portable phones that told us the history of the temples and how they came to be how they are now over time. Two of the temples had scafolding around parts of it because they are trying to restore and keep them from falling down. I have to say it was amazing. I would definately recommend the trip to anyone coming to the island. It took us about 8 hours to see all the temples and the museum, a full day at least and we were exhausted. This is a very physical journey so we both got a workout just from climbing and walking. The ruins are actually spread out over a fairly large distance. It probably would have been better to go in the spring when it was cooler. But at least we know that now, so when it comes time to go to Pompeii we can plan it for the fall or spring instead of the middle of summer. Lesson learned, that is for sure. We did have a really nice time though. We spent the whole day there and then stopped by a pizzeria for dinner. We stayed at a little bed and breakfast in front of the cathedral in the center of town. All in all, a successful trip!

Cefalu

On the same day that I went to Santo Stefano, I also went to Cefalu. This city is on the north end of the island, close to the center. It is a beautiful town set on a large beach area and boardwalk with seafood restaurants all the way down the strip. The church is set in the center of the town and all of the streets are narrow with intricately laid stone. Unfortunately Luis was unable to make the trip with me, so we will have to go back.

Santo Stefano

I got the opportunity to take a trip across part of the island last weekend to the small town of Santo Stefano. It has a long street full of nothing but pottery shops...absolutely gorgeous things! All hand crafted and painted, and some were also detailed with carvings. I bought a vase that was hand carved and painted to put flowers in at the house. They also made furniture there...columns out of clay that held glass shelves. They were very pretty. I think we might buy an entry way table like this while we are here.