Information on Mount Etna

Mt. Etna is a type of Shield Volcano. It is formed in Sicily, Italy. Etna formed by two continental plates colliding. More specifically, the Eurasian Plate overriding the African Plate. A few months ago, Mt. Etna erupted. (November 13, 2008) Mount Etna stands at about 3330 meters, and has roughly 5 fissures cracked open on it's surface. It's circumfrence is over 90 miles. In the past three thousand years, Etna has erupted around 190 times. Many other volcanoes are in Italy. In the past hundred years, the only volcanoes near Etna that have erupted are Stromboli and Vesuvius. Most of Etna's eruptions are non-destructive. The VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) is usually only 1 or 2. The lava is basaltic, and the damage caused from it can be costly.