Etna Lava Tubes Project was born with the aim of spreading knowledge of little-known or unpublished Etna caves. Natural phenomena among the most fascinating of our volcano. Many texts report that on Etna there are at least 260 known caves. In reality the formation of lava tubes is very common and the number of caves is destined to increase considerably. Below we report a census of little-known caves - for which information is not available elsewhere - or unpublished discovered by our team in particular by the founders of EtnaExcursion.it Dario & Paolo Teri. During an exploratory campaign that began "for fun" in 2018 and still (April 2023), about 70 have been found, not considered in the general count indicated above. Here we report only those considered most interesting from a naturalistic point of view. For the caves already surveyed we recommend a visit to EtnaNatura.it and Mungibeddu.it
Exploration: Only visitable with helmet and lights.
Visited by: Dario Teri (on 22.11.2021)
Notified to the relevant municipality on \\
This cave is located on the southern slope of the Monti De Fiore on ancient lavas, attributable according to the INGV geological map to the flows emitted by the Vituddi vents located a few kilometers further upstream. The significant and perhaps less known lava tube opens onto an opening located further downstream from an adjacent room, certainly better known to both shepherds and hikers passing by. The entrance to the actual cave is in fact not very visible as it apparently seems to close immediately. After passing a first rather low part, a wider section opens up and can be walked through up to a larger room where for about thirty meters it is possible to walk upright and observe the typical speleothems of Etna lava caves: dog's teeth or lava pendants, striae and rolls, even sporadic blisters. Continuing it seems to end on a collapse but in reality from a hole of about 40/50 centimeters it is possible to still travel the cavity for another twenty meters, but quite narrow (not recommended, because of less interest, the visit of this section). The name given is obviously linked to the proximity to the Monti De Fiore, dedicated to the scientist of the same name (ed. Ottorino De Fiore) and generated in the eruption of Jan/Mar 1974.
Dario Teri 22th November 2021 Unseen & Little-Known Etna Caves No Responses
Do you want to visit the caves of Etna?
We organize cave excursions with expert guides. You could also request a guided tour with those who discovered it! See
Speleological tour in volcanic caves.
How are volcanic caves formed?
Lava tubes are very common on Etna. They form during an eruption ...
Go to the article.