Publications
Detecting strain with a fiber optic cable on the seafloor offshore Mount Etna, Southern Italy
A groundbreaking study successfully detected permanent strain at the seafloor for the first time using a 6-km-long fiber optic cable deployed offshore Mount Etna, Sicily. Over a 21-month period (October 2020 to July 2022), the cable experienced a total elongation of 2.5 cm, with significant strain (+25 to +40 microstrain) observed at two locations where it crossed an active strike-slip fault. The most pronounced changes occurred between November 19 and 21, 2020, suggesting potential fault slip or seabottom currents as causes. Brillouin Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (BOTDR) laser reflectometry demonstrated the cable's ability to detect strain in near real time, with strain amplitude increasing to +45 to +55 microstrain over subsequent months, affecting a longer portion of the cable. A sandbag experiment further validated the technique by showing how the cable deforms under applied load and how deformation signals partially dissipate due to elastic properties. These findings highlight the potential of fiber optic cables for seismological monitoring in deep-sea environments.
Ecological connectivity of bee communities in fragmented areas of Volcano Etna (Sicily, Italy) at different degrees of anthropogenic disturbance (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Anthophila)
A study on Mount Etna, Sicily, reveals that ecological connectivity is crucial for maintaining bee diversity in fragmented landscapes. Researchers analyzed four sites with varying levels of anthropogenic disturbance—including urban parks, a nature reserve, and an agroecosystem—from 2007 to 2010. They identified 163 bee species across six families, using diversity indices and multivariate analysis to assess community structure. Mapping biopermeability highlighted how natural corridors influence bee populations, while treating sites as 'ecological islands' underscored the impact of fragmentation on biodiversity. The findings emphasize that conservation strategies must prioritize both ecological connectivity and local plant diversity to sustain bee communities effectively.
First Insights into the Bacterial Diversity of Mount Etna Volcanic Caves
Research reveals that the microbial communities in lava tubes of Mount Etna, a UNESCO-listed volcanic site, are dominated by bacteria from phyla such as Actinomycetota, Pseudomonadota, Acidobacteriota, Chloroflexota, and Cyanobacteria. The study identified Crossiella as a dominant genus, linked to biomineralization processes, alongside Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Chujaibacter, and Sphingomonas, which play roles in carbon, nitrogen, and ammonia cycles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) confirmed diverse morphotypes, including rod-shaped, filamentous, and coccoidal cells with surface appendages. This first-of-its-kind investigation into Etna's lava tubes expands global knowledge of volcanic cave microbiology.
GNSS-based long-term deformation at Mount Etna volcano (Italy)
Mount Etna's eastern flank exhibits significant seaward motion, with deformation rates reaching up to 60 mm/year along the Pernicana fault, highlighting ongoing flank instability as a dominant process. This finding was derived from a GNSS-based analysis of long-term volcanic deformation (2004–2018) using 32 reference stations in Sicily to isolate volcanic signals from tectonic background noise. The study also detected minor contraction at the volcano's base and slight uplift, suggesting complex interactions between magmatic doming, local, and regional tectonics. Contrasting deformation patterns—radial inflation/deflation on the northwestern flank versus vigorous seaward motion on the eastern side—further underscore Etna's dynamic instability.
Is the projected landscape also perceived? A proposed research plan on Etna Park's conflicting destination image
A significant disparity exists between the projected destination image of Etna Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Regional Nature Park since 1987, and the actual perception held by tourists. This 'conflict landscape' poses challenges for effective destination promotion, particularly in the era of social media dominance, where electronic word-of-mouth content heavily influences travel decisions. The study employs a web/social media analysis strategy to examine tourists' feedback on Etna Park's naturalistic pathways, aiming to identify policy differences among stakeholders such as residents and Local Action Groups. Preliminary findings highlight disagreements across various viewpoints, which will inform future research aimed at fostering a positive relationship between nature-based tourism and the park's resilience. The goal is to recommend a coherent place storytelling that aligns projected and perceived images.
A Model to Support Sustainable Resource Management in the “Etna River Valleys” Biosphere Reserve: The Dominance-Based Rough Set Approach
A new model using Dominance-Based Rough Set Approach (DRSA) has been developed to support sustainable resource management in the Etna River Valleys Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO site. The study identifies both strengths and weaknesses in transitioning towards sustainable land management, emphasizing the need for strategic choices by stakeholders. This approach aligns with global sustainability goals, particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land), aiming to conserve biodiversity and promote territorial enhancement. The research provides a tool to navigate the complex mosaic of environmental, cultural, and economic factors within the reserve, while highlighting the necessity for information and financial support to sustain these efforts.
Bee diversity in fragmented areas of Volcano Etna (Sicily, Italy) at different degrees of anthropic disturbance (Hymenoptera: Apoidea, Anthophila)
A three-year study on Mount Etna, Sicily, revealed that fragmented pedemontane areas under varying degrees of anthropic disturbance support a rich bee diversity, with 163 species identified across five families. The research, comparing four sites—two urban parks, a nature reserve, and an agroecosystem—against a control site, found similar species richness (104 vs. 102) but highlighted strong seasonal variations influenced by forage sources, nesting sites, and human activities. These findings provide a baseline for assessing management strategies to preserve bee diversity, particularly in fragmented environments, while emphasizing the importance of season-long sampling for ecological studies using bees as indicators.
Examples of Multi-Sensor Determination of Eruptive Source Parameters of Explosive Events at Mount Etna
Multi-sensor strategies prove crucial for accurately determining eruptive source parameters (ESPs) during explosive eruptions, essential for predicting tephra dispersal and deposition. A study analyzing data from Mount Etna's weak and strong paroxysmal events demonstrates that different sensors—including Doppler radars, infrared sensors, infrasound arrays, visible video-monitoring cameras, and tephra-fallout deposits—provide complementary observations. While plume height measurements align during strong activity, discrepancies arise in weaker events due to rapid dilution. Event duration varies by sensor, reflecting distinct paroxysmal phases, which impacts total erupted mass (TEM) and mass eruption rate (MER). Satellite retrievals of grain-size, combined with radar data, offer near real-time approximations of total grain-size distribution (TGSD), showing promising agreement with deposit-derived TGSD.
Mediterranean Basins and Italian Island Volcanoes
The Mediterranean Sea is composed of multiple tectonically active basins, each with distinct physical and chemical characteristics. These basins, including the Adriatic, Aegean, Ionian, and Tyrrhenian Seas, are shaped by ongoing continental collision between the African and Eurasian plates, a process that began during the Alpine Orogeny and continues today. This tectonic activity has led to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, with notable historical impacts such as the destruction of Catania and Messina between 1169 and 1908. Italian island volcanoes, including Stromboli and Etna, are associated with convergent plate boundaries and exhibit diverse volcanic behaviors, from small, discrete eruptions at Stromboli to violent, short-lived activity at Vulcano's Fossa cone. Mount Etna, one of the world's largest and most active stratovolcanoes, remains a significant hazard and tourist attraction, protected within a national park.
The use of Mount Etna volcanic ash in the production of bricks with good physical-mechanical performance: Converting a problematic waste product into a resource for the construction industry
Volcanic ash from Mount Etna, typically a hazardous waste product causing structural damage and health risks, can be repurposed to enhance brick production. A study found that adding 10–20% volcanic ash to clay mixtures during brick firing at temperatures between 800°C and 1100°C improves durability against salt crystallization while maintaining strength above construction standards. The bricks became more compact due to sintering and vitrification, retaining their characteristic orange hue. This approach offers a sustainable solution for managing volcanic waste, converting it into a valuable resource for the construction industry.
City Profile: Catania, Sicily
Catania, Sicily, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural wonders, including the active volcano Mount Etna. The city's landscape is shaped by lava flows from Etna, which are repurposed into building stone, reflecting its dynamic geological history. Catania also preserves significant Greek and Roman antiquities, such as the Teatro Romano and remains of Sicily's largest amphitheater dating to 200 AD, showcasing its rich historical layers. The city's vibrant traditions, including puppet operas by the Napoli family since 1921, marzipan craftsmanship, and mosaics, highlight its cultural diversity influenced by Arab imports. Architectural landmarks like Piazza del Duomo and Bellini Gardens further emphasize Catania's layered identity, blending baroque flamboyance with natural beauty. The study provides an immersive account of these elements, offering insights into the city's enduring relationship with both its natural environment and historical past.
Combined Seismic and Geodetic Analysis Before, During, and After the 2018 Mount Etna Eruption
A groundbreaking analysis of Mount Etna's 2018 eruption reveals the complex interplay between seismic activity and volcanic deformation, marking one of the most significant episodes of unrest since monitoring began in 1970. The study identifies two distinct magma dikes—one shallow, near the eruptive fissure, and a deeper, larger dike between 1 and 5 km below sea level—suggesting that the eruption was driven by dual magma pathways. Crucially, the pressurization of a deep reservoir (~6 km) continued unabated during the intrusion, causing unprecedented deformation of the eastern flank. This process, active since September 2018, culminated in a destructive ML4.8 earthquake near Pisano on December 26, 2018, which devastated local infrastructure. The research combines high-rate geodetic data and seismic modeling to propose a time-dependent intrusion model that sheds light on the mechanisms underlying volcanic unrest and flank instability.
Muographic monitoring of the volcano-tectonic evolution of Mount Etna
A groundbreaking study using muographic imaging has revealed critical insights into the volcano-tectonic evolution of Mount Etna, demonstrating its potential for mid-term eruption predictions. The research, conducted from 2017 to 2019, detected a cavity months before the collapse of the North-East Crater in 2017 and identified underground fractures that preceded the emergence of a new eruptive vent in June 2019, which remains active as of February 2020. This pilot experiment underscores muography's capability to monitor the internal dynamics of active volcanoes, offering a novel approach to understanding their plumbing systems. The findings suggest that expanding this technology could establish a robust monitoring system for predicting volcanic activity on timescales of weeks to months.
Recognizing Eruptions of Mount Etna through Machine Learning Using Multiperspective Infrared Images
A machine learning system can now automatically detect, locate, and classify the main types of eruptive activity at Mount Etna using infrared images from thermal cameras. The approach combines a Decision Tree tool to assess visibility levels with a Bag of Words-based classifier to identify eruption types—such as explosions, lava flows, or plume degassing/ash—in real time. By merging these outputs, the system provides a comprehensive, automatic description of volcanic phenomena from multiple perspectives, enhancing early hazard planning and mitigation efforts.
Slab Detachment, Mantle Flow, and Crustal Collision in Eastern Sicily (Southern Italy): Implications on Mount Etna Volcanism
New geodynamic interpretations reveal that deep crustal shortening beneath Mount Etna, one of Europe's few active volcanoes, is driven by trench-parallel slab breakoff and fore-arc mantle flow. This tectonic inversion, marked by a large thrust-ramp structure, suggests that the opening of a gateway in the Ionian slab has allowed mantle mobilization, influencing magmatic source mixing and underplating processes beneath Etna. The study combines lithospheric reconstructions, seismicity analysis, and stress state modeling to argue that this compressional regime—contrasting with previous extensional conditions—significantly impacts Etna's volcanic dynamics, potentially indicating a transition toward decline. Comparisons with extinct southern Tyrrhenian volcanic systems further support these findings.
Sustainable Use and Conservation of the Environmental Resources of the Etna Park (UNESCO Heritage): Evaluation Model Supporting Sustainable Local Development Strategies
Mount Etna faces the challenge of balancing environmental protection with sustainable local development. A study published in Sustainability (2020) introduces an innovative approach using 'rough sets' theory to guide policy-making for Etna Park. This method helps formulate strategies that integrate traditional agro-silvo-pastoral activities and other human endeavors while ensuring environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The research demonstrates how active community participation can enhance specific territorial resources, mitigating the impacts of human activity in protected areas. By providing a framework to navigate the complexities of sustainable development, this model offers valuable insights for managing similar UNESCO sites globally.
The Christmas 2018 Eruption at Mount Etna: Enlightening How the Volcano Factory Works Through a Multiparametric Inspection
A multiparametric study of Mount Etna's December 2018 flank eruption revealed that magma replenishment from deep to shallow levels over several months, combined with pressure imbalances in the volcano's plumbing system, triggered the eruption. The research integrated olivine chemical zoning and diffusion chronometry data with GNSS measurements, identifying distinct magmatic environments and re-equilibration processes at shallow depths. Geodetic models showed two phases of magma pressurization—first at ~7.2 km below sea level (bsl) between June 2017 and June 2018, followed by a shallower source (~5.1 km bsl) leading to the eruption. The findings highlight how prolonged recharge and dynamic pressure changes control eruptive activity, with potential for both summit and flank eruptions depending on shallow-level magma discharge rates.
Structural assessment of Mount Etna volcano from Permanent Scatterers analysis
A comprehensive kinematic model of Mount Etna's deformation reveals significant gravitational reorganization of its unstable flanks, particularly on the southern side. This study utilized the Permanent Scatterers (PS) technique from 1995 to 2000, combining interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data with GPS measurements to achieve millimeter-precision ground velocity mapping. The analysis identified a wide inflation of the western and northern flanks over 350 km², alongside a seaward motion on the eastern and southern sides. Notably, it detected previously unrecognized features and extended the known extent of others, attributing the observed velocity field to both gravitational forces and strong subsidence of the adjacent continental margin. This research advances understanding of Etna's structural dynamics, offering critical insights for hazard assessment in densely populated areas.
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