Volcano Stories — Season 1, Episode 1: Etna: The Mountain Mountain

Episode synopsis

Mount Etna is the highest and most active volcano in Europe. It erupts once or twice a year, threatening the 900,000 people who live nearby. Despite this, every year, in February, Catania becomes the centre of one of the most important Christian pilgrimages in the world. With great ardor, half a million Sicilians congregate and pray to Santa Agata, the protector of the city. They prey for her protection against the wrath of the fiery giant. For noting in the world, would they ever leave this volcanic land, a land of milk and honey where you can find the best oranges in the world.

About Volcano Stories

No two volcanoes are alike; each one has its own distinctive landscape, climate, and geological context. Just as unique are the people we meet along the way who help us comprehend how greatly our planet – and our lives – have been shaped by volcanic phenomena. For the scientific aspect of each episode, we explore the very diverse range of questions raised by volcanic phenomena in such varied fields as earth sciences, climatology, biodiversity, oceanography, geography, agronomics, and archaeology. The cultural part of the show delves into mythology, religion, philosophy, folk and artistic traditions, cooking, and ways of life.

More episodes from Season 1

• E2Bromo - The Sacred Volcano of Java
• E3Tanzania - A Volcano on Maasai Territory
• E4Westman Islands - The Volcanic Guardians of Iceland
• E5Unzen - Man Versus Giant
• E6Hawaii - The Lava of Kilauea
• E7Kawah Ijen: The Hell of Sulfur
• E8Auvergne: The Mysteries of Its Sleeping Giants
• E9Ecuador - Beneath the Cotopaxi Glacier
• E10Naples: A Volcano Can Hide Another
• E11Aeolian Islands - From Hell to Paradise
• E12New Zealand: Human Treasures
• E13Reunion Island: in the Heart of the Volcanoe