Strong explosive eruption at Stromboli volcano, Italy

A strong explosive eruption took place at Stromboli volcano, Italy at 14:47 UTC on July 28, 2021. The explosion was energetically more intense than usual, INGV-OE said.

Volcanic products were radially dispersed in the crater area with fallout along the Sciara del Fuoco.

From a seismic point of view, the explosive event of the 14:47 UTC is well visible at all seismic stations in Stromboli.

With regard to the magnitude of the volcanic tremor, an increase has been observed since 14:00 UTC. 

All monitored parameters returned to normal levels by 16:05 UTC.

Geological summary

Spectacular incandescent nighttime explosions at this volcano have long attracted visitors to the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean."

Stromboli, the NE-most of the Aeolian Islands, has lent its name to the frequent mild explosive activity that has characterized its eruptions throughout much of historical time.

The small, 924-m-high (3 031 feet) island is the emergent summit of a volcano that grew in two main eruptive cycles, the last of which formed the western portion of the island.

The Neostromboli eruptive period from about 13 000 to 5 000 years ago was followed by formation of the modern Stromboli edifice. The active summit vents are located at the head of the Sciara del Fuoco, a prominent horseshoe-shaped scarp formed about 5 000 years ago as a result of the most recent of a series of slope failures that extend to below sea level.

The modern volcano has been constructed within this scarp, which funnels pyroclastic ejecta and lava flows to the NW. Essentially continuous mild strombolian explosions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have been recorded for more than a millennium. (GVP)

Featured image credit: INGV