24 August 2006

The summit craters shortly before the big changes in 2007, aerial photos taken from a helicopter.

Approaching from the North; note path and emergency shelters in the foregound. Etna far left; Vulcano, Lipari and Panarea behind Vancori ridge; Salina far right.

NE crater in the foreground. All vents are within a small caldera-like depression which is tilted away from Pizzo (left), towards Sciara del Fuoco (right).

The summit craters are clearly aligned along a linear fissure. The mountains of Calabria behind Pizzo, top left.

Close-up of the crater chain (Northeast crater cut by the left margin). A rather tall hornito has formed in Southwest crater, right.

Looking back towards the crater terrace and Pizzo (top right). Note the prominent dike in the centre of the photo.