Silvano Sinigoi in Valsesia for a hike on the Supervolcano

The return in August of the discoverer of the supervolcano offers many interested people the chance to hear, directly from Silvano Sinigoi himself, the story of this unique geological feature – the only one of its kind in the world – which stretches across the Sesia basin.
At the lecture on 10 August, to be held at the Multipurpose Hall in Postua at 6.30 pm, organised by the local council, Professor Sinigoi will present the story of the supervolcano and the research that led to its discovery, whilst the geological excursion on Sunday 12th will feature explanations and guidance from Sinigoi as well as a guide.
The excursion, organised by the Sesia Val Grande Geopark Association under the patronage of Vocca Town Council, starts from Vocca, with participants meeting at 9.30 am at the Town Hall in the Chiesa district. The tour is of great significance and takes place in the stretch of Valsesia between Balmuccia and Prato Sesia, where the last eruption of the supervolcano occurred some 300 million years ago, in this part of the planet that would later become Valsesia.
Today, thanks to the geological processes that gave rise to the Alps between 60 and 30 million years ago, the rotation of the Earth’s crust in which the extinct volcano was situated has exposed the rocks that formed its magma chamber down to a depth of around 30 km. A site unique in the world has been created, and we will walk upon these rocks, recounting their extraordinary history.
There are numerous vantage points along the River Sesia: Balmuccia, where rocks from the Earth’s mantle outcrop; Isola di Vocca, following a path through the woods amongst the rocks from which nickel was once mined; the rocks of the magma chamber in Val Mastallone; Crevola, with the crustal rocks that melted to form the granites visible at Agnona; and Prato Sesia, where the caldera rocks are visible.
Lunch is a packed lunch, though there is the option to sample local produce at a trattoria. At the end of the tour of the geosites, at around 5.00–5.30 pm, there will be a tasting of wines made from Nebbiolo grapes at the Association’s Info Point in Prato Sesia, hosted by ‘Cantine del Castello Conti’ in Maggiora.
The choice of sites to visit may vary depending on weather conditions.
Recommended clothing: walking boots, long trousers, waterproof jacket, hat, sunglasses, sun cream, water.
Cost for the day: €12 (€10 for members), €8 for children aged 8 to 14 / free for children under 8.
For information and to register (preferably by 6.00 pm on Saturday 11th): mobile 347 4474021 –info@supervulcano.it–www.supervulcano.it