16. On January 11, 1693 Sicily, Malta and parts of southern Italy were rocked by an earthquake that accompanied the eruption of a famous volcano. Which Sicilian volcano was responsible for this earth-shaking event?
From Quiz Ten Days That Shook the World
Answer:
Mount Etna
Mount Etna is the largest continuously active volcano in Europe, currently 3,329m (10922') high, although its height varies as eruptions remove parts of the summit. Mount Vesuvius (the only active volcano on mainland Europe) and Mount Stromboli are also active volcanoes, and Mount Vulcano, which last erupted in 1890, is considered dormant.
The 1693 eruption produced earthquakes that destroyed at least 45 towns, affected an area of over 5600 square kilometers (220 sq mi), and killed around 60,000 people. The extensive rebuilding required after the earthquake led to the development of a school of architecture referred to as Sicilian Baroque or Earthquake Baroque.