Nota preliminare sul fenomeno glaciologico della Grotta del Gelo (Monte Etna)

Preliminary note on the glaciologic phenomenon of the Cave of Frost (Mt. Etna)

Abstract

The Grotta del Gelo (Cave of Frost) is well known among the volcanic caves of Mt. Etna for its main feature: the largest part of the hollow is occupied by a massive stack of ice, the formation of which is governed by the geographic position, the height (2 030 m) and the morphology of the cave. This cave is at present considered a mere touristic attraction, though it plays a primary scientific and climatological role, due to the evolution of the glacial mass. This latter underwent significant variations during recent times: the glacial mass was constantly increasing up to the beginning of the eighties, whereafter a slow though progressive decrease affected the ice content during the last decade. The decrease can be imputed to either of these causes: the 1981 eruption, the vent of which broke out at a few tens of metres from the cave, thus modifying the temperature of the engulfing rocks and of the hollow inside; or the climate changes recorded throughout the planet over recent years. This phenomenon has not yet been investigated from a scientific point of view. This note represents a preliminary contribution to the knowledge of the problem. For the monitoring of the phenomenon, the equipping of a climatological station inside the cave is suggested.