Historical eruptions on Vulcano island

This list is largely based on Frazzetta et al. (1984); other (in part doubtful) eruptive activity mentioned in Volcanoes of the World (1994 edition) is indicated with "(VOTW 94)".

• 475(?) BC -- eruption from Fossa with ejection of incandescent material (may also have occurred in 424-423 BC)
• 360±10 BC -- violent eruption from Fossa, formation of a new eruption vent ("Palizzi crater", possibly the source of the Palizzi lava flow)
• Between 350 and 300 BC -- maybe the same event as preceding, rumblings heard as far away as Taormina
• 300 BC -- explosive activity from Fossa
• 215 BC -- submarine activity near Vulcano (VOTW 94)
• 183 BC -- island of Vulcanello emerges in the strait between Vulcano and Lipari, formation of Vulcanello I cone
• 126 BC -- submarine activity "between Vulcano and Panarea" (VOTW 94), maybe date of Vulcanello's birth instead of previous
• 91 BC -- Vulcanello erupting, Fossa apparently quiet
• 24±5 BC -- activity, probably from Vulcanello
• 10±10 BC -- Vulcanello erupting
• 1st century AD -- explosive activity from Fossa, ejection of incandescent material
• 144 AD -- eruption from Fossa; then about 300 years of apparent repose
• 526 or 580 -- Fossa and Vulcanello both erupting, formation of Vulcanello III. Legend of San Calogero says that volcanic activity shifted from Lipari (monte Pilato) to Vulcanello and then to Fossa, still farther away from Lipari
• 729 -- strong activity from Fossa, causing pumice falls on Lipari, access to Fossa impossible due to the activity
• between 900 and 950 -- unspecified activity on Vulcano island, maybe confusion with previous activity record. Then no recorded activity for about 400 years
• 13th century -- activity, probably from Vulcanello
• 4 February 1444 -- eruption from unknown source on Vulcano, blocks or bombs thrown up to 10 km away
• 1550 -- eruption from Vulcanello III, Vulcanello island becomes linked to Vulcano (formation of isthmus between Porto Lavante and Porto Ponente). Latest recorded eruptive event at Vulcanello, possibly extrusion of Punta del Roveto lava flow that is known for the picturesque scenery of "Valle dei Mostri"
• 1618 -- eruption at Vulcano, no further details
• March-April 1626 -- eruption from unspecified source at Vulcano
• 1631 -- eruption at Vulcano, no source vent known
• 1651 -- Fossa erupts explosively
• 1688 -- explosive eruption from Fossa followed by about 35 years of quiet
• 1727 -- eruption from Fossa and formation of the Forgia Vecchia II crater on the N flank of Fossa cone
• 1731-1739 -- prolonged eruptive period from Fossa that ends with the extrusion of the Pietre Cotte lava flow
• 17 February - May 1771 -- strong explosive activity from Fossa
• 1775(?) -- doubtful eruption (VOTW 94), but reports of fumarolic activity
• 1780 -- explosive activity from Fossa, then fumarolic activity for >1 century
• 1786(?) -- doubtful eruptive activity from Fossa (VOTW 94)
• 1812(?) -- doubtful eruption from Fossa (VOTW 94)
• 1822-1823(?) -- doubtful eruption from Fossa (VOTW 94)
• 1831(?) -- doubtful eruption from Fossa (VOTW 94)
• September 1873-1879 -- intermittent explosive activity from Fossa
• 2 August 1888-22 March 1890 -- prolonged eruptive period from Fossa

Copyright © Boris Behncke, "Italy's Volcanoes: The Cradle of Volcanology"