Etna West – Territory: Bronte
Coordinates:33S 493395E 4177242N (Utm Wgs84) | 37°44'32.8″N 14°55'30.1″E
ELEVATION: 1675 m.
Development: approximately 75 m.
Nearest known location: Monti De Fiore
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.

 

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Dario Teri 22th November 2021 Unseen & Little-Known Etna Caves No Responses