It’s hard to believe that a little over one week ago we stood on an active volcano. Located in Sicily, Mt. Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe. We rode the gondola up on the south side, stood in the snow as the locals skied down the hill, and ogled the peak puffing away. We marveled, “We’re on an active volcano!”
It was a beautiful day, as the blue skies attest (no color enhancement to these photos). It would be hard to believe that it could change in an instant, but you can’t predict nature. On the north side of Etna you can see the most recent lava flows below the smoking peaks.
As I hear the reports and see the videos of the Japan earthquakes and tsunami, I am rendered speechless. In the face of nature’s power, we are helpless. We are mere passengers on this ball of rock hurtling through space. The earth continues to re-shape itself as it will, regardless of how the humans on the surface try to monitor, predict or even control it. We easily forget that in our everyday lives.
My heart and support goes out to those struggling with the aftermath of this natural disaster in Japan.
Things like yesterdays events certainly make us think, but it seems to be oh so often at the moment, with Mother Nature in such turmoil.
So well written..thank you, you have echoed my own thoughts here today.
Beautiful post, Kat. We do take everything for granted until it's snatched from us.
These are beautiful photos! I'm sure standing on something like that makes you feel oh-so-small especially after the earthquake. Thanks for sharing.