Now that you have the scoop on Mt. Etna, there is more you may want to know about its product, LAVA. The word, lava, is from the Latin, labes, meaning fall or slide. There are three general types of lava, depending on the temperature, viscosity, and mode of eruption. The chemical composition varies according to the amount of silicon dioxide (sand) present. The type of lava emitted by Mt. Etna is called "A-a" and is a basalt type.
The old saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" can also be said for lava. Sicilians have ingeniously used lava to their advantage is many ways and have created several industries that support the economy. There are lava processing plants that convert huge blocks into more manageable forms to build roads, make curbs, and ornamental stone.
Probably for as long as humans have inhabited this island (thousands of years), they have been masters at building lava stone walls a
nd fences.
This molten rock is explosively thrown out of the volcano with the expansion of gas bubbles. A-a is characterized by very rough surfaces, and takes on many forms, including massively huge fields of rough, black, and chunky lava, lava ash, and cinders that vary in size. At 3,000 ft (Mt. Etna's altitude is 11,000 ft), we have many examples of cinders and ash in the yard. Recall from your earth science class the term "igneous?" That's the type of rock formed by hardened lava. In addition to the ash and cinder visible from the summit, leaving a plume and smoky trail in the sky, I have seen red ribbons of lava flowing down the slope at night.
For centuries, lava flows have caused massive destruction of towns in its path, causing many to rebuild from scratch. I'm glad I didn't live in this hut!
The old saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" can also be said for lava. Sicilians have ingeniously used lava to their advantage is many ways and have created several industries that support the economy. There are lava processing plants that convert huge blocks into more manageable forms to build roads, make curbs, and ornamental stone.
Probably for as long as humans have inhabited this island (thousands of years), they have been masters at building lava stone walls a
nd fences.One of the most artistic applications is making lava tables, tiles, and other art objects. Slabs depicting all things Sicilian are painted with a special enamel glaze, and then fired at a high temperature in a large oven. The final product is heavy, durable, smooth, and profoundly beautiful. Your choice: lemons, grapes, pomegranates, scenes of Mt. Etna, or all the above can be found on one tabletop.
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