Etna Eruption

On June 17, Mount Etna, in Sicily, after several days of increased activity, burst into violent eruption.

The eruption was heralded by a series of loud explosions and violent earthquake shocks. Showers of ashes were scattered over the countryside, a dense cloud of smoke shrouded the sky, and five streams of white-hot lava, the largest of which was 2/3 of a mile wide and 30 feet deep, poured down the eastern slopes of the volcano.

The lava waves advanced about 1,000 feet an hour, destroying orchards, vineyards and houses, and threatened seven villages, Linguaglossa, Randazzo, Bronte, Francavilla, Castiglione, Giardini and Fiume Freddo.

At Linguaglossa, the 20,000 inhabitants were evacuated, while Fascisti and Army engineers endeavored to head off the flow of lava by digging a ditch. The town was surrounded on three sides by lava, but, though it suffered great damage, was saved from destruction. At Castiglione the railway station was destroyed.

Damage to crops and houses estimated at 100,000,000 lire ($5,000,000) was wrought in the devastated districts, but no lives were lost. Fifty thousand refugees are crowded in the city of Catania, where they are being fed and clad by Italian authorities and the Red Cross. They are suffering as a result of a sudden cold spell.

The lava flow ceased on June 21, and the streams advancing over the countryside slowed their progress.

Yellow dust, thought to have been carried by the wind from the Mount Etna eruption, fell on June 22 near Monte Rosa, on the Swiss-Italian frontier.

Earthquakes were reported in Central and South America (June 19) and Alaska (June 20).

On June 22 earthquake shakes were detected by the seismographic instruments at Georgetown University, Washington, D. C. The record indicated that the disturbance took place at a distance of 6,000 miles.