Slopes southwest of the summit of Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy, where moss, grass and wild flowers are early colonists of the black cinders and ash left by the volcano’s frequent eruptions.
Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy: slopes north of Adrano and southwest of the summit. Moss, grass and wild flowers are among early evidence of vegetation taking root on the fields of black cinders and ash thrown up by Etna’s frequent eruptions. Fresh volcanic soil is inhospitable to any kind of plant. After some time, microorganisms begin to settle (Cyanobacteria) on the surface of the lava, organisms that can do without substrate. Then follow a number of lichen species (organisms deriving from collaboration between an algae and a fungus), having the ability to cling to bare rock; widespread among these is the Stereocaulon vesuvianum lichen. Next to the lichens, in the cracks where a little sand can accumulate, mosses (for example Bryum argenteum and Polytrichum piliferum) begin to take root. With time, as the soil begins to collect in rock fissures, the first annual grasses appear ( Tuberaria guttata, Rumex bucephalophorus) and then the gramineae (Stipa capensis, Cymbopogon hirtus). After more time, the soil becomes ever richer in humus and flowering plants are present like the Everlasting Flower (Helicrysum italicum) and Red Valerian (Centhrantus ruber). When, under action of the same plants a mature soil is formed, then shrubs begin to take root, such as Mount Etna Broom (Genista aetnesis). The Parco dell’Etna regional authority safeguards 60,000 hectares of land above 800m (2,624 ft), extending from the summit down to surrounding towns and villages. At around 3,326 m (10,900 ft), Etna is Western Europe’s highest active volcano. Activity began around 500,000 years ago. Since 2000, there have been four eruptions through flank vents (in 2001, 2002 - 2003, 2004 - 2005 and 2008 - 2009), as well as summit eruptions in 2006, 2007 - 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2021.
Size: 2832px × 4256px
Location: Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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