Vulcano (Sicily)
Vulcano is a complex stratovolcano in the Mediterranean. It is the eponymous volcanic complex comprising the island of Vulcano in the Aeolian archipelago. The origin of the word volcano is derived from the name of this volcanic island, which in turn owes its name to the Roman god of fire, volcanoes, and metalworking, Vulcan, who in classical Roman mythology resided on this island.
Geology
This volcanic complex was created due to the African plate subducting under the Eurasian plate. Vulcano’s central peak is 386 meters above sea level. It is visible from the ground as a hill in the island's center, near Porto Levante. The slope’s composition is of various types. The vegetation cover decreases as altitude increases. Around half-way up the hill, only gorse grows; near the main crater, the ground is completely bare.Volcanic epochs
Volcanic activity at Vulcano can be split up into 8 different eruptive Epochs:| Eruptive Epoch | Synthem | AGE | Active volcanic centres | Synthetic description |
| Eruptive Epoch 1 | Paleovulcano | 127–113 ka ca. | Capo Secco | Effusive eruptions |
| Eruptive Epoch 2 | Casa Grotta dell’Abate | 117–101 ka ca. | Primordial Vulcano | Effusive to subordinate Strombolian activity, with minor phreatomagmatic eruptions |
| Eruptive Epoch 3 | Scoglio dell’Arpa | 99.5–94 ka ca. | Scoglio Conigliara caldera ring faults | Mainly effusive activity and subordinate phreatomagmatic eruptions |
| Eruptive Epoch 4 | Rio Grande | 83–78 ka ca. | Monte Aria and Timpa del Corvo fissures ; Casa Petrulla scoria cone | Effusive activity producing lava piles; phreatomagmatic dilute PDCs interlayered with Strombolian fallout deposits |
| Eruptive Epoch 5 | Il Piano | 70–42 ka ca. | Il Cardo, Monte Rosso, Punta Luccia, La Sommata | Dilute PDC activity alternated to minor Strombolian fallout; effusive and/or pure Hawaiian to Strombolian activity |
| Eruptive Epoch 6 | Serra delle Felicicchie | 28–21 ka ca. | Monte Lentia dome field and other vents, originating various: P. Sciarra del Monte, Sc. Capo Secco, P.ta Bandiera, Faro vecchio | Various effusive and explosive western border activities generating lava domes and coulees, scoriae/pumices blankets, lava flow |
| Eruptive Epoch 7 | Vallonazzo | < 21 ka to 10 ka ca. | La Fossa caldera borders and inner vents, Punta Roja, Monte Lentia | Medium- to high-energy PDC ; effusive activity |
| Eruptive Epoch 8 | Vallonazzo | from 9–8 ka to the last eruption | Mt. Saraceno, LFC western, La Fossa tuff-cone, Vulcanello cone | Frequent phreatomagmatic eruptions with both Vulcanian style or PDC-dominated. Strombolian to Hawaiian and effusive activity. Dome-type activity |
A 2025 study shows Vulcano has multiple magma chambers. The study integrated petrological and gas-monitoring data to reconstruct the pre-eruptive cycles of Vulcano. The study analysed clinopyroxene crystals from the 1888–90 La Fossa eruption and SO₂ flux records since 1978. This identified three different pulses of mafic magma recharges—about 85–140, 16–35 and 2–7 years before an eruption. This estimates that 26–86 × 10⁶ m³ of magma intruded beneath the crater between 1978 and 2024. This pressurized the shallow magma reservoirs. The study describes Vulcano’s magma system as polybaric, with magma storage at 18.5–21 km depth, shoshonitic reservoirs at 17–12 km, latitic reservoirs at 12–8 km, latitic–trachytic reservoirs from roughly 7–8 km down to ~2 km, and small rhyolitic chambers shallower than 2 km. A latitic reservoir at around 4–5 km depth is currently degassing and is periodically recharged by deeper magmas. The study concludes that prolonged magma recharge and interaction among these reservoirs are key triggers for Vulcano-style eruptions.
Great Pit Crater
The main crater, about in diameter, is named “Great Pit Crater”, and is also called the “Grand Crater”. The rim is located at an elevation of, and is surrounded by slopes leading to greater heights.Other craters
In the vicinity of the Great Pit Crater, there are the remains of two other craters:- Old Vulcano is located to the south: it includes the two peaks of Mount Saraceno and Mount Aria, which reach altitudes of around. This is the original volcanic edifice, still the highest in the entire complex.
- The Lentia, to the northwest, is much smaller: the Fossa crater was formed from the interior of this crater.
Recorded history
Vulcano in ancient times
Vulcano has produced half a dozen devastating eruptions over the past millennia. The Fossa crater has been active at irregular intervals since ancient times, as documented by classical writers, particularly Thucydides in the fifth century B.C. During this time period, records suggest the island produced eruptions that were audible as far as Sicily. After centuries of irregular eruptions, the Fossa crater began a prolonged phase of dormancy.In the second century B.C., next to the island of Vulcano, the new crater of Vulcanello emerged from the sea, which, erupting, gave rise to a small island located next to the mother island. The eruption causing the creation of Vulcanello, was also documented in antiquity in a dramatic style. The dormancy of the Great Crater was recorded as lasting until the sixth century A.C.Vulcano in modern times
Between 1727 and 1739, the activity of the Grand Crater resumed; following this eruptive awakening, the lava flow of fired stones was observed. Spilled ash fell on Lipari, Salina, Stromboli, and the Sicilian coast opposite. Further eruptions are also documented in 1771 and 1783.The last eruption occurred between 1888 and 1890. The latter was heralded in 1886 by a phreatic eruption. The last eruptions in this series were of the Vulcano type: so-called bread crust bombs and ash were catapulted from the Great Crater. An expedition of researchers was organized by the government. In particular, the eruption was documented by the famous seismologist Mercalli.Current Unrest
Since the time of the last violent eruption, only fumarole activity has been recorded volcanic exhalations consisting of the production of steam and volcanic gases. In the case of Vulcano, it is mainly sulfur, which, thanks to the action of bacteria, contributes to the formation of a colored patina on the surfaces of soil and stones.The activity of fumaroles has been documented for centuries and has continued in alternating phases to the present day. While it was very modest in the 1970s, there was increased activity at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s that raised serious concerns.
On the beach at Porto Levante, the water and mud are heated by the heat of sulfur dioxide produced by the weaker fumaroles. This small coastal area has long been famous for bathing: mud baths on Vulcano have a reputation for benefiting the skin and having therapeutic effects.
Starting in the summer of 2021 and that of September, there has been an increase in fumarole activity, with a rise in the temperature of the gases and the amount of CO2 and SO2 in them, as well as an increase in microseismic activity. For this reason, the raised the volcanic alert level from green to yellow starting in October. Following a subsequent decrease in these phenomena, the alert level was returned to green in December 2023.
In the fall of 2025, volcanic unrest increased again with strong gas emissions reported on October 15, 2025.