Wonders of Sicily: The Calanques

Photographer: Rosario Catania   

Summary Author: Rosario Catania   

The Calanques of Cannizzola, in the semi-arid region of east-central Sicily, represents a special area of conservation between the Erei Mountains and Mount Etna. Here in the Simeto Valley, accelerated erosion of clay soils and alluvial deposits have allowed greater stream incision -- with slopes between 30° to 45°. The concave shape of these furrowed slopes collects a mixture of water and debris during rain events – rainfall here averages only (19 inches (470 mm) per year. The rain that falls feeds the Cannizzola River, a major tributary of the Simeto River. Photo taken on October 23, 2023.

Centuripe, Sicily, Italy Coordinates: 37.6222, 14.7408

Related Links:

Eastern Flank of Mount Etna

Rosario’s Website