Print Page

Sicilian Spring


Since 1993, the David and Cary Cassa Fund, created by Mary Rose Cassa ’76 in honor of her parents, has helped students and faculty take earth science-focused trips to locales as varied as Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Glacier national parks as well as the British Isles and Iceland.

This year, 13 students, two faculty members and John Pohl ’78, P’06 spent spring break scrambling over and under rocks, hiking to a volcano’s mouth and touring some of most renowned cultural landmarks in Sicily.

“[John Pohl] and I have been talking about a trip for the past couple of years,” said Ben Edwards, associate professor and chair of earth sciences. Pohl decided that the opportunity to accompany niece Leslie Milliman ’14 on the trip seemed especially fortuitous.

The trip began in the foothills of Siracusa, where the group saw remnants of a Greek amphitheatre and a Roman coliseum. The group also hiked the Hyblean Plateau, hunted for fossils at Capo Milazzo, toured the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, climbed the still-active volcano, Mount Etna, and discovered the purported home of the mythical monster the Cyclops.

“The trip was a great mix of geology, archaeology and culture,” said geology major Everett Lasher '11. “We [also] experienced firsthand the late-night dining habits of the Sicilians; their love of the eight-course, four-hour lunch breaks; and the fast-paced city driving that seemed to make Professor Edwards nervous.”


1of1

  • On their first day in Sicily, the group visited the ruins of a Greek amphitheatre in Siracusa. Nearby is also a former Roman coliseum—the second-largest surviving coliseum outside Rome.
    Archaeological Treasure
  • These carved alcoves near the top of the amphitheatre with channels for running water may have been special seating for wealthy patrons, says Edwards. From left: Paige Hollenbeck '12, Becca Rossi '13 and Natalie Kormushoff '12.
    Best Seat in the House
  • On its second day, the group visited a quarry and hiked the Hyblean Plateau, site of multiple lava and fossil formations. From left: David Cruz '13, Joe Stahley '13, Natalie Kormushoff '12 and Paige Hollenbeck '12.
    Hyblean Plateau
  • Because of its alternately dry and wet climate, as well as fertile volcanic soil, Sicily is ideal for orange and olive groves. In the foreground is Tucker Deady '14.
    Spring Groves
  • Capo Milazzo, which sits on the Eurasian plate—one of two that make up Sicily—is rich with fossils and conglomerate rocks like this one. From left: Everett Lasher '11, Natalie Kormushoff '12 and Paige Hollenbeck '12.
    Conglomeration
  • Former geology and political-science double major John Pohl '78 hunts fossils in Capo Milazzo. Pohl also underwrote expenses related to hiring a guide for part of the trip.
    John Pohl '78
  • On day 4, the group hiked to the southeast crater of the volcano Mount Etna, which has four active vents. It most recently erupted in January 2011. "We had a great clear day on top of the snow-covered flanks of the mountain," said Everett Lasher '11. "It provided great views of the 200-plus cinder cones in the distance, the Mediterranean, the city of Catania and the Straits of Messina."
    Crater's Edge
  • From summits to caves, the group saw nearly every geological aspect of Sicily. Here, they explore a 200-meter-long lava tube. “Sicily is geologically complex,” said Edwards. “I could have spent a whole week at Mount Etna crawling around and seeing things.”
    Underground
  • On their last day in Sicily, students clambered over outcroppings of limestone and lava, mythical home to the one-eyed creature, the Cyclops.
    Limestone-Lava
On their first day in Sicily, the group visited the ruins of a Greek amphitheatre in Siracusa. Nearby is also a former Roman coliseum—the second-largest surviving coliseum outside Rome.Prev ImageNext Image

Text by Michelle Simmons
Photos by Ben Edwards