Italy's Volcanoes: The Cradle of Volcanology

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Piano del Lago, May 2001
Piano del Lago, September 2001
Piano del Lago, June 2003
The incredible morphological changes brought by the latest two eruptions (in 2001 and 2002-2003) on the upper southern flank can be appreciated in these three photographs, all taken from the summit of the Montagnola looking north. The relatively flat, gently sloping area in the foreground of the top photo was, until 2001, known as the "Piano del Lago", since during the spring snowmelt in many years a temporary lake formed there. There will surely never ever be a lake again in that area, because during the 2001 eruption a new cone was built up there, which is well visible in the center photo. With the 2002-2003 eruption the area has once more undergone a profound change: the bottom photograph shows, behind the 2001 cone, a new twin cone, half hidden in cloud, each of the "twins" being twice as tall as the cone of 2001! N.B. The photographs were taken in May 2001, September 2001 and June 2003, respectively.

 

Latest photos of Etna and Stromboli (June 2003)

 

The photographs on this page were taken on 7 June 2003 (Stromboli) and during five visits to Etna on 9, 13, 18, 22, and 26 June 2003, and represent a "new generation" of images on this site, due to replace all low-quality scans that appear on many of the pages today. Scanning of slides has been difficult most of the time because no special slide scanners were available, and during the past two years no scanner was available at all. This has changed now. I have acquired a scanner capable of producing reasonably high-quality scans from slides, photographs and negative strips, and thus all images on this site can soon be seen in much better quality than before.
The images below are a foretaste; they will later be incorporated into the respective sections of this site. They show the ongoing effusive activity at Stromboli, where lava flows descend the "Sciara del Fuoco" (see more on the Stromboli pages) since late December 2002; the effusion rate has increased somewhat over the past few weeks and thus renders more spectacular flows. The Etna photos show some of the dramatic morphological changes that have resulted from the latest eruption, between October 2002 and January 2003, on the upper southern flank and on the northeastern flank, near Piano Provenzana.


Stromboli, 7 June 2003

The visit was made in the evening, lasting from before sunset well into the night. Activity consisted of lava effusion without any explosive manifestations; the effusion rate at that time was higher than during the previous two months and incandescent rockfalls from flow fronts and margins were continuous

Stromboli, 7 June 2003

Left: the Sciara del Fuoco at dust, with dust plumes rising from nearly constant rockfalls
Right: lookout at 400 m elevation, also serving as helicopter landing pad. Active lava flows on the Sciara del Fuoco are visible in the background

Stromboli, 7 June 2003

Left: the disfigured Crater 1 (also known as northeastern Crater), and active lava flows at lower right
Right: as night falls, the active lava flows become more and more visible

Stromboli, 7 June 2003
Stromboli, 7 June 2003

Two views of a surge of very fluid lava breaching the lateral levee of one of the active main flows. Image at right is brighter due to longer exposure

Stromboli, 7 June 2003

Left: Crater 1 remained completely inactive during the 7 June visit, but produced some explosions during the previous days
Right: at full dark the flowing lava shows spectacularly. Much of the incandescent material, however, is rockfalls, not flowing lava

Stromboli, 7 June 2003


Etna, upper southern flank, 9 June 2003

The visit was made during the late afternoon, with some weather clouds casting shadows on the terrain, which explains why some of the photographs are rather dark and low in contrast. It was possible to stay only briefly on the rim of the lower of the two newly formed (2002-2003) craters; a tour around this crater was made four days later (see next series).

Etna, 9 June 2003

Left: nameless but enormous, the lower of the two new cones of the 2002-2003 eruption looms above what was once Piano del Lago
Right: the site of the Torre del Filosofo mountain hut (deeply buried in ash) and the upper of the two new cones in the background

Etna, 9 June 2003
Etna, 9 June 2003

Left: the top of an antenna poking through the 2002-2003 pyroclastic deposit is all that remains of Torre del Filosofo
Right: the Southeast Crater (steep cone at right) with its steaming satellite vent "Sudestino", seen from south

Etna, 9 June 2003
Etna, 9 June 2003

Left: four north-south aligned vent lie on the bottom of the upper new cone, one of which still gives off hot steam
Right: this area was once called Piano del Lago (Plain of the Lake). Now it has transformed into a mountain range

Etna, 9 June 2003
Etna, 9 June 2003

Two views of the crater of the lower new cone from slightly different angles. This crater contains at least six irregularly spaced vents and displays spectacularly colorful sulfur deposits

Etna, 9 June 2003

Etna, upper southern flank, 13 June 2003

Lighting conditions are quite different compared to the previous (9 June) series as the visit was made during the early morning, but clouds often covered part of the scene. This time it was possible to do a near complete round trip around the lower of the two newly formed (2002-2003) craters, allowing to portray it from different viewing angles.

Piano del Lago, 13 June 2003
The place seen here is what on maps is called "Piano del Lago", which means "Plain of the Lake". It was a gently sloping, flat area extending from the Montagnola (the sharp peak seen in the distance) at about 2600 m elevation to the base of the summit crater complex. Only one prehistoric cone, Monte Frumento Supino (which is out of the picture to the right) lay in this area until 2001. During the eruption of July-August 2001, a large new cone formed just to the north of the Montagnola (the gaping crater seen in the distance in front of the Montagnola). The eruption of October 2002-January 2003 led to the growth of two much larger cones, and all lavas seen in the middle ground were erupted from several vents at the base of the more southerly of these cones. The photograph was taken from the southern side of the same cone, looking south

Etna, 13 June 2003

Left: some of the poles of the cable-car survived both the 2001 and 2002-2003 eruptions
Right: British television team filming for National Geographic TV, with the Southeast Crater in the background

Etna, 13 June 2003
Etna, 13 June 2003

Left: fuming pit at the bottom of the northermost vent within the upper of the 2002-2003 craters
Right: this is not a glowing block of lava, but a strongly oxidized block, lying on the bottom of the upper of the new craters

Etna, 13 June 2003
Etna, 13 June 2003

These two photographs show an impressive, colourful crack that extends over a distance of several tens of meters on the western rim of the lower of the two newly formed craters. Formed not by eruptive activity but by the slow settling of the rapidly accumulated pyroclastics constituting the cone, the intense colors are due to sulfur precipitation and oxidation due to hot gases still exiting the crack. The yellow stuff is elementary sulfur deposits, while the red color marks strongly oxidized zones

Etna, 13 June 2003
Etna, 13 June 2003

Left: the lower of the two new craters seen from its high northeastern rim, similar to photo taken on 9 June but different light
Right: looking to the high point from where photo at left was taken, from the western rim of the same crater. Note persons standing on peak at left

Etna, 13 June 2003
Etna, 13 June 2003

Left: panoramic view taken from southern rim of the lower new crater looking north, with the Southeast Crater in the background
Right: small vent piercing the crest of the southern rim of the lower new crater, with yellow sulfur deposits

Etna, 13 June 2003
Etna, 13 June 2003

The spectacular world generated by the 2002-2003 eruption. These two photographs show portions of the interior of the upper of the two new craters, with numerous vents of various dimensions, which lie scattered in various locations within the crater and near its rim. Left view is from the southwestern crater rim, while that at right was taken from the southern rim. The Southeast Crater, partially hidden in cloud, lies in the distance. People standing on the high point on the far rim of the new crater indicate scale

Etna, 13 June 2003
Etna, 13 June 2003

Left: view of the northeastern portion of the upper new crater from its southwestern rim
Right: two of the larger vents piercing the bottom of the lower new crater, seen from southwest

Etna, 13 June 2003

Etna, Piano Provenzana and Northeast Rift, 18 June 2003

Piano Provenzana and the eruptive vents that brought so much destruction during the first days of the 2002-2003 eruption were visited during the early morning of 18 June 2003, with the sun standing still low, which resulted in the strong reddish hue visible in may of these photographs.

Piano Provenzana, located on the north-northeastern flank of Etna at about 1850 m elevation, appeared to be the most peaceful spot on the volcano until that fateful morning of 27 October 2002. Within twenty-four hours the once verdant plain (photo above, taken in July 1999), the entire tourist complex it hosted, and large sections of the single access road were transformed into a desert of blocky lava. A new dirt road leading to the devastated place was constructed in March-April 2003 (photo below), but yet needs to be paved.

"Le Betulle", July 1999

The largest of the tourist structures at Piano Provenzana, the hotel "Le Betulle", seen before the 2002-2003 eruption (left) and after (right). All that remains of this building is a few chunks of concrete mixed with lava

Etna, 18 June 2003
Etna, 18 June 2003

Left: another bit of the former hotel "Le Betulle": this was the main entrance section, seen in the center of the photo above at left
Right: the first lava flow to reach Piano Provenzana on 27 October 2002 was emitted from this small vent

Etna, 18 June 2003
Etna, 18 June 2003

The second lava flow which covered the remaining part of Piano Provenzana after 27 October 2002 came through a tremendous lava channel (left) and spilled down the slope immediately above the hotel "Le Betulle" (right)

Etna, 18 June 2003
Etna, 18 June 2003

Left: miniature vent lying on a grassy slope; lava flow that passed through the valley in front of it came from higher upslope
Right: severely fissured terrain in the middle section of the 2002 eruptive fracture and narrow lava flows fed from these fissures

Etna, 18 June 2003
Etna, 18 June 2003

Two views of some of the larger vents of the Northeast Rift eruption in October-November 2002. A cone about 15-20 m high has formed around the main twin vent. Large cone in left background is Monte Nero, which erupted in 1646-1647. Note rapid return of vegetation

Etna, 18 June 2003
Etna, 18 June 2003

Looking into the craters of the twin cone shown in previous photographs. The more northerly of these craters is seen at left, the more southerly at right. Note embryonal cone formed at the crater bottom in right photograph

Etna, 18 June 2003
Etna, 18 June 2003

Left: looking north along lowermost portion of the 2002 fisure
Right: small vent lying on northern rim of the large twin cone seen in the previous photographs

Etna, 18 June 2003
Etna, 18 June 2003

The "artistic" side of devastation: burned pine trees lying near some of the main vents of the 2002 Northeast Rift eruption above Piano Provenzana

Etna, 18 June 2003

Etna, Piano Provenzana and Northeast Rift, 22 June 2003

A second visit to Piano Provenzana and the nearby eruptive vents of the early phase of the 2002-2003 eruption (October-November 2002) was made on 22 June 2003, and some of the eruptive vents were studied in more detail. Differently to the visit four days earlier, there was stronger fumarolic activity in some sites. Furthermore it was possible to visit the main vent of the eruption, from which much of the lava which devastated Piano Provenzana was erupted. The lava flowed through a deep channel, resembling the "barrel of a gun" from which the lethal shot onto the tourist complex was fired.

Piano Provenzana, 22 June 2003
Looking down at the site which once hosted the tourist facilities of Piano Provenzana, 22 June 2003. The view is from the ridge above the plain, which actually is the crest of a normal fault on the eastern margin of the Northeast Rift. Much of the plain is covered with lava from the first phase of the latest eruption, October-November 2002. New dirt roads have been laid across the lava field and are planned to represent the backbones of a new tourist complex, yet to be built

"Le Betulle", 22 June 2003

Left: a closer look at the remains of the hotel "Le Betulle"
Right: approaching a still-fuming, small vent of the 2002 eruptive fissure on the Northeast Rift

Fuming vent, 22 June 2003
Fuming vent, 22 June 2003

Left: steam issues from the rim of a small vent of the 2002 eruptive fissure. Cones in the background are Monte Nero (left) and the largest cone formed in 2002
Right: ground cracks formed during 2002 eruption on Northeast Rift. Person indicates scale

Fissured terrain, 22 June 2003
"Barrel of a gun", 22 June 2003

"The barrel of a gun": this tremendous chasm was the vent which fed the main lava flow that destroyed Piano Provenzana, which issued through a deep lava flow channel

"Barrel of a gun", 22 June 2003

Etna, southern flank, 26 June 2003

Like the 22 June visit to the Piano Provenzana area, the 26 June 2003 excursion to the craters of the 2001 and 2002-2003 eruptions on the southern flank was made together with a group of students from the Gymnasium Heidberg, near Hamburg, Germany. This was organized by Geology teacher Wolfgang Fraedrich, who had made similar excursions in the past five years, which I had the pleasure to accompany and support logistically as well. During the week between 22 and 28 June, we visited many areas on and around Etna, including the two major hikes at Piano Provenzana and on the southern flank. The group was highly motivated and enthusiastic, and remarkably apt to moving around in the often hostile terrains on the volcano. The 26 June excursion started at the huge craters formed during the 2002-2003 eruption and led to the "Belvedere" lookout, the large cone formed during the 2001 eruption (Monte Josémaria Escrivà), the Montagnola, and the 2001 vents at 2100 m elevation.

At the base of the 2002-2003 cones, 26 June 2003
Excursion group from the Gymnasium Heidberg, Hamburg, Germany, at the eastern base of the huge pyroclastic cones formed during the 2002-2003 eruption. Mountain guide Andrea Mazzaglia is at right, Geology teacher Wolfgang Fraedrich in the center. Thanks to all of you for making this a truly memorable hike!

Torre del Filosofo, 26 June 2003

Left: recent excavations have revealed a corner of the Torre del Filosofo mountain hut, which had been completely buried by pyroclastics during the 2002-2003 eruption
Right: pyroclastic stratigraphy of the western rim of the lower of the new craters formed in 2002-2003

2002-2003 crater, 26 June 2003
2002-2003 effusive vent, 26 June 2003

Left: effusive vent on southern side of the complex pyroclastic cone formed during the 2002-2003 eruption. View is from southern rim of the lower of the new craters
Right: looking into the lower of the new craters from its southeastern rim

2002-2003 crater, 26 June 2003
2002-2003 crater, 26 June 2003

Two more views of the incredibly colorful world of the lower of the two craters formed during the 2002-2003 eruption. View is from east to west. Right photograph shows prehistoric cone of Monte Frumento Supino in the background

2002-2003 crater, 26 June 2003
2002-2003 cones, 26 June 2003

During the 2001 eruption, a large pyroclastic cone grew at about 2570 m elevation on the southern flank. Left image is a view from that cone toward the new, still larger cones formed in 2002-2003 and their lava flows. Right image shows the crater of the 2001 crater, filled with large amounts of 2002-2003 pyroclastics

2001 crater, 26 June 2003
Ruins of ski lift, 26 June 2003

Left: the suggestive ruin of a ski lift near the Montagnola, destroyed by heavy pyroclastic bombardment in 2001 and covered with more tephra in 2002-2003
Right: the lowermost eruptive fissure of the 2001 eruption (at 2100 m elevation), covered with ash from the 2002-2003 eruption

2001 fissure, 26 June 2003

 

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