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Stromboli Volcano | John Seach
Aeolian Islands, Italy
38.79 N, 15.21 E,
summit elevation 926 m
stratovolcano
Stromboli is a small island located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the north coast of Sicily, Italy. It is one of the eight Aeolian Islands and is also known as the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean" because of its frequent and spectacular explosive eruptions. The volcano is a stratovolcano and has been in near-constant activity for thousands of years.
Stromboli's activity is characterized by frequent, small to moderate explosive eruptions, which are known as "Strombolian" eruptions. These eruptions involve the explosive fragmentation of gas-rich magma and the ejection of volcanic ash, bombs, and scoria. These eruptions occur at intervals of a few minutes to hours, and are often accompanied by incandescence from the vents at night.
The volcano's activity has been closely monitored by scientists, using various techniques such as geophysical and geochemical measurements, gas monitoring and thermal imaging. This monitoring helps to understand the volcano's behavior and to predict potential hazards. Stromboli is a unique natural laboratory for the study of volcano dynamics and eruption processes. Its activity provides valuable insights into the behavior of explosive stratovolcanoes, and it is also a popular destination for tourists who can observe the volcano's activity up close with guided tours.
The active craters are located 100-150 m below Pizzo sopra la Fossa.
A collapse depression called Sciara del Fuoco is located below the
active craters.
Stromboli volcano photos by John Seach
Stromboli volcano from the south
Stromboli volcano 2016
Eruption at Stromboli volcano, Italy
Strombolian eruption
Strombolian eruption
Stromboli volcano, Italy
Stromboli
John Seach at summit of Stromboli volcano
House on Stromboli
Group preparing to climb Stromboli volcano
2019 Eruption
A paroxysmal eruption occurred at Stromboli volcano on 3 July 2019. One climber was killed. The eruption sent ash 30,000 ft high.
2018 Eruptions
Eruptions at Stromboli volcano were at normal levels in March 2018.
Eruptions occurred 3-8 times per hour.
2013 Eruptions
Eruptions continue at Stromboli volcano in January 2013, with
Strombolian eruptions from multiple vents.
2011 Eruptions
During April 2011 activity at Stromboli volcano remained normal with
low to medium eruptions occurring from several vents in the summit
area. The vents were located at in the north and south of the crater
terrace. The northern vent was the most active during the month,
with eruptions producing ejecta up to 200 m high, 2-4 times per
hour. Two southern vents produced eruptions 1-6 times per hour and
ejected lava up to 120 m high.
2009 Eruptions
Eruptions continue at Stromboli volcano in October 2009.
2008 Eruptions
Strombolian eruptions continue in 2008. In June there were four
active vents, producing eruptions about twenty times per hour.
2007 Flank eruption
A flank eruption started at Stromboli volcano on 27th February 2007
and continued to at least 15th March. Lava flowed in three branches
from the flank of NE crater to the sea. A new vent opened at the
eastern edge of Sciara del Fuoco at about 400 m elevation on the
first day of the eruption. A large explosion occurred on 15th March
2007.
2002-2003 Flank eruption and Tsunami
On 28 December 2002 a lava flow started in the summit area, and
continued until 22nd July 2003. On 30th December 2002 two landslides
occurred at 1315 and 1322 hr along the Sciara del Fuoco. The large
volume of rock crashing into the sea created two tsunamis, with wave
heights of several metres. The tsunamis hit the villages of
Stromboli and Ginostra, damaging buildings and boats and injuring
several people. Six people were evacuated by helicopter to two
hospitals on Sicily.
2002 Explosion
A large explosion occurred on 23rd January 2002 at 2054 hr. The
explosion was heard from all villages on the island. A large fallout
of debris covered an area near the summit frequented by tourists.
This would may have resulted in injuries if tourists had been at the
location.
Major explosion on 20th October 2001
A major explosion occurred at 0237 hr on 20th October 2001. Large
blocks of lava landed at Pizzo sopra La Fossa (summit), with a
maximum diameter of 40 cm. Ejecta hit a group of tourists a few
hundred meters away from the vents, killing one person.
1989 Eruption
Tourists at Stromboli volcano were hit by ejecta on 26th March 1989.
The large eruptions occurred without warning, and highlight the
dangers of close approach to volcanic vents. One tourist broke an
arm while fleeing in panic.
1986 Eruption
A lava flow began at Stromboli volcano on 6th December 1986. At
08:15, a small nuée ardente descended the NW flank of Sciara del
Fuoco and reached the sea. Lava flowed into the sea, forming a small
peninsula at the NE end of the Sciara del Fuoco. A tourist was
killed at the summit on 24th July 1986. The victim was 15 m from the
crater rim and hit by a falling block.
1975 Eruption
A new lava flow began at Stromboli volcano on 5th November 1975.
Lava reached the north coast of the island. The lava flow was fed by
a subterminal vent, which opened on Sciara at about 700 m altitude.
Strong explosions occurred at the crater terrace ejecting bombs to a
height of 800 m.
1971 Eruption
Lava flowed to the sea down the Sciara del Fuoco on 3rd April 1971.
1955 Eruption
A submarine eruption occurred 50 m from the coast of Stromboli in
February and March 1955.
1954 Eruptions
Glowing clouds were produced at Stromboli volcano in February and
March 1954. A tsunami was generated along with moderate explosions
and a lava flow.
1952 Eruptions
A lava flow began at Stromboli volcano on 6th June 1952 without any
precursory explosions. Inhabitants of San Vincenzo were not aware of
the flow until alerted by a tourist, arriving by ship, who saw it
flowing down the Sciara del Fuoco. The lava flow continued for
several days.
1944 Eruptions
On 20th August 1944 strong eruptions at Stromboli volcano produced
pine-shaped cloud 2000 m high. A glowing avalanche extended toward
the eastern side of the
island. A tsunami was generated. Lava flow down the Sciara del Fuoco
lasted until the end of October.
1936 Eruptions
Eruptions from Stromboli volcano on 31st January 1936 caused ashfall
on Catania in eastern Sicily.
1930 Eruptions
Two strong explosions occurred at Stromboli volcano on 11th
September 1930 during a few second interval. The explosions were
heard 60 km from the volcano. An ash cloud rose to a height of 2500
m. Thirty ton blocks fell on Ginostra. Scoria fell on Scari for 40
minutes. A glowing avalanche approached S. Bartolo church. Another
avalanche reached the sea down the Sciara del Fuoco. Three people
were killed by the avalanche and a fourth by the boiling water. A
tsunami was generated.
1919 Eruptions
On 22nd May 1919 strong explosions at Stromboli ejected 30-60 ton
blocks onto houses in San Vincenzo and Ginostra. Four people were
killed and 20 injured. A tsunami was generated.
1916 Eruptions
On 20th June 1916 a volcanic earthquake at Stromboli was followed by
strong explosions and a lava flow. On 4th July during a 15 minute
period ejecta were thrown to a height of 1000 m.
1912 Eruptions
Eruptions caused lapilli to fall on all of Stromboli on 25th August
1912. Ash fell on Calabria and Sicily.
1907 Eruptions
A strong explosion with ashfall and a short lava flow occurred at
Stromboli on 11th January 1907. An explosion and short lava flow
occurred on 31st January. On 13th April two strong explosions set
fire to vegetation. A plinian explosion occurred on 27th April. On
14th May strong explosions caused ashfall in Messina on the
northeast coast of Sicily.
1903 Eruption
Lava flows were recorded at Stromboli in January, March, June and
November 1903.
1891 Eruptions
On 24th June 1891 there were two strong explosions at the summit of
Stromboli within 30 seconds. A landslide occurred between Labronzo
and S. Bartolo.
1882 Eruption
An earthquake preceded the opening of five vents on the Sciara del
Fuoco, 100 m below the crater. During this activity there were no
eruptions at the summit craters, which resumed when the lower vents
stopped erupting.
Further reading
Salvatore, V., Silleni, A., Corneli, D., Taddeucci, J., Palladino, D.M., Sottili, G., Bernini, D., Andronico, D. and Cristaldi, A., 2018. Parameterizing multi-vent activity at Stromboli Volcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy). Bulletin of Volcanology, 80(7), p.64.
Lucchi, F., Peccerillo, A., Keller, J., Tranne, C.A. and Rossi, P.L. eds., 2013, December. The Aeolian Islands Volcanoes. Geological Society of London.
Stromboli Volcano Eruptions
350 BC to 2024 continuing