Osservazioni morfotettoniche sul settore occidentale dell’Etna

Morphotectonic observations on the western slopes of Mt. Etna

Abstract

Linearly developed morphologic elements, structurally significant, have been examined on the western slopes of Mt. Etna, Sicily. The features of the area and azimuth distribution of the various morpho-types (fault scarps, “facet” alinements, morphologic flexes) allowed to divide the total field into three zones with evidence of structurally different behavior. Among them the central one represents a lowered sector of the volcanic edifice, with a high number of eruptive fractures, that is connected with a large E-W oriented structure of the sedimentary basement. The whole set of data shows several fracture systems, having a regional character, that cut through the Quaternary volcanic pile. The eruptive fractures are generally not aligned according to the regional systems, and are then mainly to be related to tensional fields inside the volcanic edifice.