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The
relatively small, prehistoric cone of Monte S. Nicolò is
seen here on 4 March 2004 from a higher position about 0.7 km
to the northwest, showing plainly the charming landscape around
the cone. Fruit gardens, vineyards and weekend homes lie scattered
around the densely vegetated cone, whose small and shallow summit
crater is dominated by two large oak trees. A shallow depression
can be noted on the center-right side of the cone, where there
were possibly effusive vents during the eruption that formed Monte
S. Nicolo, many thousands of years ago |
Mamma
Etna's countless children
Monte San Nicolò
SE flank, 15.083157° E, 37.638018° N
summit elevation: 681 m
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The
village of Monterosso on the lower southeast flank of Mount Etna is surrounded
by four pyroclastic cones. One of these is Monte S. Nicolò, a prehistoric
and densely vegetated cone with a relative height ranging from 60 to 140
m. A poorly defined summit crater less than 100 m in diameter forms a
shallow depression at the summit, and a breach can be recognized on the
western flank; possibly this corresponds with the site of effusive vents
lower on the slope on this side. Fruit gardens and vineyards cover the
southern flank of the cone up to the summit, while the western and northern
sides are covered by a small forest of oak trees. The age of Monte S.
Nicolò is not known, but it is certainly much older than its more
conspicuous neighbors Monte Gorna, Monte Ilice, and Monterosso, who were
all formed during the historical period.
I visited and climbed Monte S. Nicolò for the first time in early
March 1997 and passed nearby on several other occasions. The photos on
this page were taken during the first visit and in March 2004.
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Monte
S. Nicolò seen from different directions and at different
times. Left photograph, taken early March 1997, is a view from the
summit of Monte Gorna (about 1.2 km to the northwest) and shows
Monte Serra (3 km away) in the distance.
Center image was taken from a point lying between Monte Gorna and
Monte S. Nicolò, but slightly further west, so that distant
Monte Serra is seen to the right of
Monte S. Nicolò. This photo was taken 4 March 2004, seven
years after the previous one. In the image at right Monte S. Nicolò
is seen from the southernmost in a cluster
of nameless cones north of Trecastagni, about 0.7 km to the
WSW, and another cone is seen in the background at left: Monterosso,
with the Ionian Sea in the distance. Photo taken 4 March 2004 |
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Further
views of Monte S. Nicolò and its beautiful surroundings (if
one choses the right foreground objects). Left image was taken from
south and shows the larger cone of Monte
Gorna in the background, with snow-covered main edifice of Etna
in the distance, and an abandoned country villa at extreme left.
Another villa, also abandoned, is seen in the foreground of the
center image, Monte Gorna is in right background. A similar view
but with different buildings in the foreground and much less pleasant
weather conditions is seen in the right photograph, taken in early
March 1997, seven years before the photos at left and center |
Continue
Monte Gorna
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