Etna Lava Tubes Project was born with the aim of spreading knowledge of little-known or unpublished Etna caves.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 Below we report a census of little-known caves - for which information is not available elsewhere - or unpublished discovered by our team in particular by the founders of EtnaExcursion.it Dario & Paolo Teri.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
Mannera cave
Adrano – Etna
Coordinates: S33 491000E 4174740N (Utm Wgs84)
ELEVATION: 1245 m.
Development: approximately 35m in total.
Nearest known location: Monte Turchio
Exploration: Easily accessible and visitable with just lights and helmet.
Taken over by Dario & Damiano Teri (on 11.2.2020)
The Nd was communicated to the relevant municipality
It is a small cave (development of a single tunnel of about 30 meters) near which a mannera arose, a typical sheepfold for sheep flocks, of particular charm thanks also to the integrity of the dry stone walls, and therefore it was most likely used as a shelter by the shepherds of the area. It can be reached by following 2 mule tracks traced in ancient times by the "picurara" of the area, on lavas presumed to be from the medieval era around 1200 (According to the latest Etna geological map, Lave di Monte Testa or Monte Forno). To reach the aforementioned mannera, little known. These traces were also inserted by the surveyor on Open Street Map. From a morphological point of view it does not present particularly significant notes being a typical lava flow cave, extended for no more than (...deep survey necessary) meters. However it is of great overall interest, naturalistic and ethno-anthropological if one considers the visit to the sheepfold and the landscape context of notable beauty. The name given, unless it is already known to speleologists and registered, which was considered appropriate is Grotta della Mannera.
Dario Teri 11 February 2020
Unseen & Little-Known Etna Caves No Responses
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How are volcanic caves formed?
Lava tubes are very common on Etna. They form during an eruption ...
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16th August 2023 – On August 14th there was a paroxysm (a “lightning” eruption) from the summit craters which has already ended. Everything falls within the normal Etna phenomena. There is no danger for the population and visitors. The excursions are taking place regularly. GO TO NEWS