(AGENPARL) – lun 30 gennaio 2023 ETNA | Scoperta l’età della Valle del Bove
Datate per la prima volta in maniera assoluta l’età dell’inizio della formazione della Valle del Bove dell’Etna e la cronologia delle eruzioni laterali successive al collasso.
[Roma, 30 gennaio 2023]
“La Valle del Bove è una depressione localizzata sul fianco orientale dell’Etna, ampia circa 7 x 4,5 km, caratterizzata da una tipica forma a ferro di cavallo il cui fondo è totalmente coperto da colate laviche generate da eruzioni laterali avvenute nel corso degli ultimi secoli”, spiega Stefano Branca, Direttore dell’Osservatorio Etneo. “Questa depressione è il risultato di fenomeni di collasso multiplo di fianco e relativi fenomeni erosionali che durante l’Olocene hanno generato l’attuale assetto morfologico di questo settore dell’Etna. In particolare, la fase iniziale della formazione della valle è dovuta ad un grande collasso di fianco dell’edificio vulcanico che ha prodotto un vasto deposito detritico che affiora nell’area dell’abitato di Milo, per un’estensione di 4,3 km2, che è parzialmente coperto da una successione lavica e piroclastica”.
Il team di ricercatori ha definito per la prima volta l’età del deposito della frana grazie al ritrovamento al suo interno di frammenti di alberi, perfettamente conservati, che sono stati datati con la tecnica del carbonio-14.
“Le analisi condotte hanno permesso di datare il deposito della frana tra il 7478 e il 7134 a.C. Contestualmente, abbiamo studiato la successione vulcanica esposta in due cave e, grazie alle datazioni paleomagnetiche, abbiamo ricostruito la sequenza di eruzioni che hanno interessato questo settore del vulcano dopo l’inizio della formazione della Valle del Bove. In particolare, le datazioni paleomagnetiche hanno evidenziato che durante gli ultimi 4000 anni si sono verificate due eruzioni laterali durante la tarda età del Rame (2600-2400 a C) e altre due eruzioni laterali, non riportate nelle fonti storiche, sono avvenute in epoca Greco-Romana e Medievale”, afferma Arianna Beatrice Malaguti, Dottoranda di ricerca dell’Università di Urbino e coautrice dello studio.
La ricerca è frutto della lunga e consolidata esperienza dei ricercatori dell’INGV nella datazione delle colate laviche attraverso le indagini realizzate nel Laboratorio ad alta specializzazione di Paleomagnetismo in essere presso la Sezione di Roma 2 dell’INGV, che costituisce il principale laboratorio paleomagnetico italiano ed uno dei più rinomati a livello internazionale. Le attività di ricerca multidisciplinari per le datazioni delle colate laviche storiche dell’Etna sono iniziate dal 2004 e hanno permesso di approfondire le conoscenze dell’attività eruttiva del vulcano in epoca preistorica.
Questa tipologia di attività di ricerca, che coniuga le classiche indagini geologico-stratigrafiche con le datazioni paleomagnetiche, continuerà ad essere applicata sull’Etna allo scopo di ricostruire la cronologia delle eruzioni laterali avvenute durante gli ultimi 4000 anni, riconosciute nella carta geologica del vulcano alla scala 1:50.000 pubblicata nel 2011, al fine di migliorare la comprensione della pericolosità vulcanica.
Citazione dell’articolo: Malaguti A.B., Branca S., Speranza F., Coltelli M., Del CarloP., Renzulli A. (2023) Age of the Valle del Bove formation and chronology of the post-collapse flank eruptions, Etna volcano (Italy). J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 434, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2023.107752
Link utili: [INGV](http://www.ingv.it)
[INGV Osservatorio Etneo](http://www.ct.ingv.it/)
[INGV Sezione di Roma 2](https://roma2.ingv.it/)
[Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo](https://www.uniurb.it/)
[Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo – Dipartimento di Scienze Pure e Applicate (DISPeA )](https://www.uniurb.it/it/portale/dipartimento-index.php?mist_id=40100&lang=IT&tipo=DISPEA&page=2958)
#ingv #etna #valledelbove #sicilia #eruzione #vulcano #ricerca #geoscienze
Abstract
The Valle del Bove is a profound and wide scar on the east Etna flank witnessing the Holocene main volcano-tectonic event of the volcano, frequently invaded by lava flows during the last centuries. The Valle del Bove slope failure produced the Milo debris avalanche deposit on the lower east flank that is partially covered by the Mongibello lavas and a pyroclastic succession. In this paper, we constrain for the first time the age of the Milo debris avalanche deposit and the overlying lava succession exposed at three quarries recently caved at the valley mouth through a multidisciplinary approach integrating stratigraphic and petrographic analyses, 14C, and paleomagnetic dating. In particular, 14C age determinations of the Milo debris avalanche deposit indicate that the initial stage of the catastrophic flank collapse of the Valle del Bove occurred at 7478–7134 BCE during the Mesolithic age. Conversely, the main portion of the lava succession filling the valley floor emplaced after the sub-Plinian picritic eruption occurred at 2579–2278 BCE (FS tephra layer) consistently with the increasing occurrence frequency of flank eruptions documented in the geological record of Etna during the past 4000 yrs. Paleomagnetic dating highlighted that in the study area the sub-Plinian eruption was followed by two quasi-contemporaneous flank eruptions during the Late Copper age (2600–2400 BCE), whereas other two flank eruptions occurred during Greek-Roman and Medieval ages. These results have relevant implications on the stratigraphy and evolution of Etna, particularly on the Valle del Bove initial collapse and the relative emplacement of the Chiancone detritic-alluvial sequence.
Per informazioni scientifiche
(recapiti per esclusivo uso professionale da non pubblicare)
ETNA | Discovered the age of Valle del Bove
The age of the formation of the Valle del Bove of Etna and the chronology of the flank eruptions following the collapse have been dated for the first time.
[Rome, January 30th, 2023]
Stratigraphic and petrographic investigations, carbon-14 and paleomagnetic dating of the lava flows performed in various quarries located at the mouth of the Valle del Bove have made it possible to date the age of the early stage of the formation of the valley and the chronology of the subsequent flank eruptions. The multidisciplinary study “Age of the Valle del Bove formation and chronology of the post-collapse flank eruptions, Etna volcano (Italy)” conducted by a team of researchers from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) in collaboration with the University of Urbino, recently has been published in the scientific journal ‘Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research’.
“The Valle del Bove is a depression located on the eastern flank of Etna, about 7 x 4.5 km wide, characterized by a typical horseshoe shape whose bottom is totally covered by lava flows generated by flank eruptions that occurred in the over the last few centuries”, explains Stefano Branca, Director of the INGV-Etna Observatory. “This depression is the result of multiple flank collapse phenomena and related erosional phenomena which during the Holocene generated the current morphological setting of this sector of Etna. In particular, the initial stage of the formation of the valley is due to a large collapse of the volcano edifice which produced a vast debris deposit which outcrops in the area of Milo village, for an extension of 4.3 km2, which is partially covered by a lava and pyroclastic succession”.
The team of researchers has defined for the first time the age of the landslide deposit thanks to the discovery inside it of tree fragments, perfectly preserved, which have been dated with the carbon-14 technique.
“The analyses carried out made it possible to date the deposit of the landslide between 7478 and 7134 BC. At the same time, we studied the volcanic succession exposed in two quarries and, thanks to paleomagnetic dating, we reconstructed the sequence of eruptions that affected this sector of the volcano after the beginning of the Valle del Bove formation. In particular, the paleomagnetic datings have shown that during the last 4000 years two flank eruptions occurred during the late Copper Age (2600-2400 BC) and two other flank eruptions, not reported in historical sources, occurred in the Greek-Roman and Medieval epochs”, explains Arianna Beatrice Malaguti, PhD candidate at the University of Urbino and co-author of the study.
The research is the result of the long and consolidated experience of the INGV researchers in the dating of lava flows through the investigations carried out in the highly specialized paleomagnetism laboratory of Rome 2 section of the INGV, which is the main paleomagnetic laboratory in Italy and one of the most renowned internationally. The multidisciplinary research activities for the dating of the historical lava flows of Etna began in 2004 and have allowed us to deepen our knowledge of the eruptive activity of the volcano in prehistoric times.
This type of research activity, which combines the classic geological-stratigraphic investigations with paleomagnetic dating, will continue to be applied on Etna in order to reconstruct the chronology of the flank eruptions which occurred during the last 4000 years, recognized in the geological map of the volcano at the 1:50,000 scale published in 2011, in order to improve the knowledge of volcanic hazard.
Article citation:Malaguti A.B., Branca S., Speranza F., Coltelli M., Del CarloP., Renzulli A. (2023) Age of the Valle del Bove formation and chronology of the post-collapse flank eruptions, Etna volcano (Italy). J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 434, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2023.107752
Useful links: [INGV](http://www.ingv.it)
[INGV Osservatorio Etneo](http://www.ct.ingv.it/)
[INGV Sezione di Roma 2](https://roma2.ingv.it/)
[Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo](https://www.uniurb.it/)
[Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo – Dipartimento di Scienze Pure e Applicate (DISPeA )](https://www.uniurb.it/it/portale/dipartimento-index.php?mist_id=40100&lang=IT&tipo=DISPEA&page=2958)
For scientific information
(contact details for professional use only, not to be published)
[immagine.png]
Foto – Valle del Bove, Etna. Crediti foto, Stefano Branca, Direttore dell’OE dell’INGV.
Photo – Valle del Bove, Etna. Photo credits, Stefano Branca, Director of the EO of INGV.
________________________________________________________

Testo Allegato:
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Press release
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2023
��06 51860572
347 0970621
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ETNA | Discovered the age of Valle del Bove
The age of the formation of the Valle del Bove of Etna and the chronology of the flank
eruptions fo
llowing the collapse have been dated for the first time.
Rome,
January 30th
, 2023
Stratigraphic and petrographic investigations, carbon

Press Office

Press release
n.
8
|
2023
��06 51860572
347 0970621
Press
INGV

ufficiostampa@ingv.it
http://www.ingv.it
INGV comunicazione
Via di Vigna
Murata, 605
00143 Roma
INGV Comunicazione Social
began in 2004 and have allowed us to deepen our knowledge
of the eruptive activity of
the volcano in prehistoric times.
This type of research activity, which combines the classic geological
stratigraphic
investigations with paleomagnetic dating, will continue to be applied on Etna in order to
reconstruct the chronology of the flank eruptions which occurred during the last 4000
years, recognized in the geological map of the volcano at the 1:50,000 scale published in
2011, in order to improve the knowledge of volcanic hazard.
Link:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0377027323000094?via%3
Dihub
Article citation:
Malaguti A.B., Branca S., Speranza F., Coltelli M., Del CarloP., Renzulli A. (2023)
Age of the Valle del Bove formation and chronology of the post
collapse flank eruptions, Etna
volcano (Italy)
J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res.,
434,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2023.107752
Useful l
ink
INGV
INGV Osservatorio Etneo
INGV Sezio
ne di Roma 2
Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo

Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo
Dipartimento di Scienze Pure e Applicate (DISPeA )
ingv
#etna #sicily
#valledelbov
e
#eruption
#volcano #research #geoscience
——————–
Abstract
The Valle del Bove is a profound and wide scar on the east Etna flank witnessing t
he Holocene main
volcano
tectonic event of the volcano, frequently invaded by lava flows during the last centuries. The
Valle del Bove slope failure produced the Milo debris avalanche deposit on the lower east flank that is
partially covered by the Mongibe
llo lavas and a pyroclastic succession. In this paper, we constrain for
the first time the age of the Milo debris avalanche deposit and the overlying lava succession exposed at
three quarries recently caved at the valley mouth through a multidisciplinary a
pproach integrating
stratigraphic and petrographic analyses,
C, and paleomagnetic dating. In particular,
C age
flank collapse of the Valle del Bove
occurred at 7478
BCE during the Mesolithic age. Conversely,
the main portion of the lava succession filling the valley floor emplaced after the sub
Plinian picritic
eruption occurred at 2579
BCE (FS tephra layer) consistently with the increasing
occurrence
frequency of flank eruptions documented in the geological record of Etna during the past 4000
yrs.
Paleomagnetic dating highlighted that in the study area the sub
Plinian eruption was followed by two

Press Office

Press release
n.
8
|
2023
��06 51860572
347 0970621
Press
INGV

ufficiostampa@ingv.it
http://www.ingv.it
INGV comunicazione
Via di Vigna
Murata, 605
00143 Roma
INGV Comunicazione Social
quasi
contemporaneous flank eruptions during
the Late Copper age (2600
BCE), whereas other
two flank eruptions occurred during Greek
Roman and Medieval ages. These results have relevant
implications on the stratigraphy and evolution of Etna, particularly on the Valle del Bove initial
collapse an
For scientific information
Stefano Branca,
INGV. mail:
direttore.oe@ingv.it
. ph
+39 3425100949
contact details for professional use only, not to be published
)
Photo
–
Valle del Bove, Etna.
Photo credits, Stefano Branca, Director of the EO of INGV.
VDP/frpe
——————–
Valeria De Paola
Chief Press Officer