BARREN

ICY CRATERS

The volcanic Mount Etna on the Mediterranean island of Sicily, Italy, is much further south, but the climate on its 3,300 metre high peak is alpine. The snow that falls in winter does not thaw until late spring. It can even be very cold in summer. The grey dusting on the white snow cover is volcanic ash, which is repeatedly spewed out by the vent of the young southeast crater. This picture was taken in March 2001. Since this time the south east crater erupted permanently until 2003 and grow up to a 300 metre high mound of ash and lava.