Italy's Volcanoes: The Cradle of Volcanology

Etna index

   
Geology Geological history Cones and craters
Eruptive characteristics Eruptions before 1971 Eruptions since 1971
Etna and Man References Web sites
Weather forecasts FAQ Latest news

 

Monte Egitto
Like a small forested island surrounded by the two main lobes of the 1832 lava flow, Monte Egitto lies in an area that is rarely visited even by people well acquainted with Etna. Its unconspicuous cone is not visible from most excursion routes, due also to its relatively small size. Two larger cones, Monte Lepre (formed around A.D. 600) and Monte Nunziata (formed during the 1832 eruption) are visible in the upper left and lower right portions of this photograph, taken in late October 1999 from the upper WSW flank of Etna's main edifice. Distance from the viewing point to Monte Egitto is about 5 km. This is virtually the only photograph I have of Monte Egitto thus far

Mamma Etna's countless children
Monte Egitto
W flank, 14.928442° E, 37.765749° N
Summit elevation: 1612 m (NE rim of crater)

 

Remote and poorly known Monte Egitto is something like the northern beacon of the field of pyroclastic cones on Etna's west flank. This relatively small cone of unknown age lies far away from the common hiking trails and rises only about 40 m above its eastern base and 70 m above its western base. To the south, east and north it is surrounded by the lava field of the 1832 Monte Nunziata eruption, and it can be reached only via the Forest Service road from Monte Lepre or by a strenuous hike across the 1832 lavas, coming from Monte Nunziata.
The remote location of this cone is the reason why I have never gotten any closer than 1.5 km to Monte Egitto, and my only photograph of it was taken from still farther away (see above).

Continue to Monte Scavo

Return to the Etna flank cone index

Copyright © Boris Behncke, "Italy's Volcanoes: The Cradle of Volcanology"

Page set up on 21 February 2004

Hosted by VolcanoDiscovery