Colonne (Columns)
- Trail Conditions: Diving
The site
In the north-east of Scoglio del Catalano, a complex system of basaltic plateaus reaches the surface and is known with the name of "Carosello".
The easternmost section is characterized by the widespread presence of basalts with column-shaped fracture patterns and by deposits of collapsed boulders. From here the name of the site, formed by a main relief and by other reliefs surrounding it rising from the bottom at no more than 15m of depth.
Main features
The basaltic features are surrounded by pebbles and spots of Posidonia also growing on the rock. The upper section and the illuminated parts of the shoal are covered with photophilic brown seaweeds on which it is often evident the sea urchins' action grazing on it and leaving the rock bare. In the shoal it is often possible to observe shoals of barracudas or lonely specimens of leerfish. Among the pebbles, several moray eels find shelter, where the Posidonia grassland and the rocks house the bluestreak cleaner wrasses (Epinephelus costae). In the dark ravines it is possible to sight Madeira rockfish, and sometimes shoals of small brown meagers can be observed. The most spectacular feature of the site consists of column-shaped basalts characterizing the rock front and giving the relief a marked vertical impulse.
