Tales From Three 18th Century Eruptions to Understand Past and Present Behaviour of Etna

The structure of an active volcano is highly dependent on the interplay between geodynamic context, tectonic assessment as well magmatic processes in plumbing system. This complex scenario, widely explored at Etna during last 40 years, nevertheless incomplete for recent historical activity. In 1763 two eruptions occurred along west flank volcano. There, eruption started 6th February and formed scoria cone Mt. Nuovo a roughly 4-km-long lava flow field. Another small cone, known Mezza Luna, not dated sources. It located just 1 km eastward produced 700 m long We focused activity Mts. Luna several reasons. First, old geological maps volcanological catalogues indicate that cones were same eruption, while sources described Nuovo’s producing single do give information about formation Luna. Second, petrologic studies highlight products are similar to sub-aphyric basalts; they preserve composition relatively close primitive magma which also erupted 1763, La Montagnola took place South Rift Third, built up so-called West Etna, represents one main magma-ascent zones applied multidisciplinary approach could prove useful other volcanoes whose past still be reconstructed. Critical reviews records, new field surveys, petrochemical analyses modelling have been integrated with literature data. results allowed improving stratigraphic record reported Mount Geological map, sub-volcanic responsible differentiation, evidencing recurrent mechanisms transfer Etna. Indeed, intrusion deep often associated activation rift erupt residual stored shallow