Mt.Etna, Vulcano, Stromboli-these 3 volcanoes are very close to each
other. Despite of this, they are quite different (in activity or
product). Up until now I have not read an appropriate explanation as to
why these volcanoes have been created. I have seen some geologic maps
from this area. There are some main faults,which are just crossing Mt.
Etna with Vulcano and Vulcano with Stromboli. Are these fault the only
reason the volcanoes are there? Is this area a subduction zone? If yes,
does it concern Mt.Etna? Could be there an implication of "hot spot"
under Etna volcano?
Roman Krska
Roman,
The general accept explanation for volcanism at Mt. Etna, Vulcano, and
Stromboli is the subduction of part of the northward-moving African Plate
beneath the Eurasian Plate. Subduction may be in a late stage of
evolution or may have ceased. The faults you noted may have influenced
the location of the volcanoes but probably do not influence the source of
the magma. Mt. Etna is unusual because it is adjacent to but just
outside of the subduction zone. It has been suggested that material
associated with the subduction zone migrates into the lithosphere
adjacent to the Aeolian arc. Lava from Etna shares a few chemical
similarities to hot spot volcanoes. However, these may result from
modification at the source or during ascent of the magma.
Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota
Source of information: Cristofolini and others, 1987, Bulletin of
Volcanology, v. 49, p. 599-607.
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