Geological evolution of Mount Etna volcano (Italy) from earliest products until the first central volcanism (between 500 and 100 ka ago) inferred from geochronological and stratigraphic data

Abstract

We present an updated geological evolution of Mount Etna volcano based on new 40 Ar/ 39 Ar age determinations and stratigraphic data integrating the previous K/Ar ages. Volcanism began at about 500 ka ago through submarine eruptions on the Gela-Catania Foredeep basin. About 300 ka ago fissure-type eruptions occurred on the ancient alluvial plain of the Simeto River forming a lava plateau. From about 220 ka ago the eruptive activity was localised mainly along the Ionian coast where fissure-type eruptions built a shield volcano. Between 129 and 126 ka ago volcanism shifted westward toward the central portion of the present volcano (Val Calanna-Moscarello area). Furthermore, scattered effusive eruptions on the southern periphery of Etna edifice occurred until about 121 ka ago. The stabilization of the plumbing system on the Valle del Bove area is marked by the building of two small polygenic edifices, Tarderia and Rocche volcanoes. Their eruptive activity was rather coeval ending 106 and 102 ka ago, respectively. During the investigated time-span volcanism in Etna region was controlled by a main E-W extensional tectonic related to the reactivation of Malta Escarpment fault system in eastern Sicily.

Mt. Etna plumbing system revealed by combined textural, compositional, and thermobarometric studies in clinopyroxenes

“…1). This was associated with a northwestward migration of the eruptive centers (Tanguy et al 1997;Branca and Del Carlo 2004;Branca et al 2008). The ancient products included several isolated volcanic centers that now crop out along the northern rim of the Valle del Bove.…”

“…1). About 15 ky ago, four plinian eruptions (Branca et al 2008) partially destroyed the summit part of the Ellittico edifice that collapsed. Part of the emitted explosive material constitutes the Biancavilla ignimbrite, which crops out on the southeastern flank of the volcano.…”

Early-to-mid Pleistocene Tectonic Transition Across the Eastern Mediterranean Influences the Course of Human History

“…Etna at ~0.5 Ma (Gvirtzman and Nur, 1999). At the western end of the eastern Mediterranean, the late Pliocene-early Pleistocene rapid subsidence of the Hyblean Plateau (Branca et al, 2008) shifted to uplift at about 1 Ma while all its volcanic activity migrated northwards to the Catania Plain (YellinDror et al, 1997).…”

Geological map of Mount Etna West Rift (Italy)

“…The following products are formed by a lava flow (Timpa formation, Acireale Synthem) that cover the Adrano Synthem lava flow with an angular unconformity coupled with an erosion surface. This lava flow is related to the scattered eruptive activity that affected the lower SW sectors of Mount Etna between about 178 ka and 136 ka (Branca et al, 2008). Both Adrano and Acireale Synthems lava flows are unconformably covered by the lava flows of the Ellittico volcano (Piano Provenzana and Monte Calvario formations, Concazze Synthem) that were generated during flank eruptions occurring in the interval 60-15 ka (Branca et al, 2004).…”

“…This lava flow represents a portion of a wide and thin lava plateau dated about 330 ka extending for more than 25 km from Bronte to Paternò (Branca et al, 2008). The following products are formed by a lava flow (Timpa formation, Acireale Synthem) that cover the Adrano Synthem lava flow with an angular unconformity coupled with an erosion surface.…”