This contribution was given from Dr. Schuster (  Technical University - Clausthal, Germany ) who is busy at the institute over 20 years for geological and mineralogical interests. Dr Schuster was also present near the Td'F during the '6th of april eruption'.

He wrote to me, that the most obvious theory is, that this lava body was formed by an intrusion / extrusion. This means the magma was pushed during the eruptions  in a side tube or fissure, and reached slowly the surface under a lower pressure. This phenomena was also discovered in Island in the beginning 70th. A 1000 m deep thrill-hole which was set two km far from the main volcano activity hit a subterranean magma resource which brought 3-4 m³ magma to the surface. This intrusions are not so seldom but very difficult to discover.  

This photo above was send from Ulrich  Kueppers (Institute for Mineralogy, Petrology & Geochemistry; Munich) who visited and observed Mt Etna for several times in the last years. This picture (SW direction of the SE-cone) taken at the end of march 2000 should demonstrate the nearly equal topsoil condition to the location of Cyclop (NE). In front of this picture you can see the ash-soil covering the mighty snow layer. In the middle you can see a new lava flow 'laying' on  the snow mass.

U. Kueppers has the point of view that this body was ejected out of the vent and has also the typical signs of a lavabomb. Spindle-form and a streaky (small ribs) surface, caused by the rotation in the air. Hit the ground the lava body of an still plastic-consistence was flatted. He means that the impact structure around the bomb disappeared by the following lapilli- fall. In case of an extrusion the contact of hot lava with the thick snow- and aqua filled top layer would cause steam-explosions and has the result of destroying this compact form.

Dear visitor, you see that both theory's are basing on the valuable knowledge of  the scientists, and so far you can make up your mind which theory you support.If you have an interesting contribution to this homepage please write or mail us. 

Thanks Dr.Schuster and U. Kueppers for this supporting additions.

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