Eastern Flank of Mt. Etna

August 24, 2022

Epod-etna-bove-02062022

Photographer: Rosario Catania  
Summary Author: Rosario Catania  

The photo above shows Mt. Etna as seen in its eastern guise, above its ancient eruptive centers. The majestic Valle del Bove (foreground) is a wide basin more than 3,280 ft (1,000 m) deep, 3 miles (5 km) wide and 4 miles (7 km) long. This depression, dating back between 7 and 10 thousand years, was caused by the collapse of these eruptive centers.

On the left of the photo, visible in the distance, is the city of Catania, with the Ionian Sea extending southward, and on the right is the coast of Calabria (mainland of Italy).

During eruptions over the past 30 years, millions of cubic meters of lava have poured from this stratovolcano into the Valle del Bove Bove, which was once rich in vegetation and cultivated fields. Etna, a natural laboratory par excellence, has been a World Heritage Site since 2013. Photo taken on June 2, 2022.



Zafferana, Etnea Sicily, Italy Coordinates: 37.6897, 15.1053

Related Links:

April 3, 2013, Eruption of Etna

Rosario’s Website