Monday, Nov. 26, 1928

Etna & Vesuvius

There was but the slightest quiver in the eastern part of Sicily last week. A few desultory rivulets of lava gurgled into the Mediterranean. The dread eruption of Etna (TIME, Nov. 19) was over.

The town of Mascali was practically obliterated. Burned, or buried were the fringes of Carrabba, Nunziata, Riposto.

The Italian Government, rejecting the aid, even of the Red Cross, prepared to deal with reparations and relief unassisted. Estimators were busy. Damage cost was put roundly at $18,500,000. With fine exactitude the number of homeless was put at 3,952. Professor Alessandro Malladra of the Vesuvius Observatory estimated that Etna had belched 523,000,000 cubic yards of lava.

Meanwhile, by the Bay of Naples, the constant trickle of smoke which flutters over Vesuvius grew larger and darker. At night, there were lovely pink sparks which proved most titillating to U. S. tourists. Neapolitans, however, paid scant attention. No serious eruption was anticipated.