High-energy explosions and lava flows at Stromboli volcano, Italy
Stromboli experienced a series of high-energy explosions on November 2 and 3, 2024, starting with an eruption in the northern crater at 14:20 UTC, followed by another in the same area and a third in the central-southern crater. These events caused hot material to slip down the Sciara del Fuoco and initiated an active lava flow from the north crater.
High-energy explosions and ongoing lava flows at Stromboli Volcano, Italy on November 2, 2024. Image credit: INGV
- The volcanic activity continued into November 3, with regular explosive events noted despite the subsidence of the earlier lava effusion.
- Surveillance cameras from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) monitored the explosions, while seismic instruments detected significant tremors associated with the volcanic activity.
A series of high-energy explosions were detected at Stromboli, starting at 14:20 UTC on November 2. The first explosion took place in the northern crater, quickly followed by a second explosion in the same area.
At 14:21 UTC, another further explosion occurred in the central-southern crater region. The first incident resulted in the slip of hot material down the groove formed during the July 2024 volcanic activity in the upper Sciara del Fuoco. This prominent scarp funnels volcanic material toward the sea.
Following the explosions, a lava flow began from the north crater region, which is still active, with a lava front in the upper part of the Sciara del Fuoco.
By November 3, the lava effusion observed earlier had subsided by the morning hours; however, regular explosive activity persisted.
Surveillance cameras maintained by INGV-OE filmed the explosion sequence. Seismic instruments observed a series of seismic transients associated with the explosive activity beginning at about 14:18 UTC, with the most powerful tremors occurring at 14:20 and 14:21 UTC.
In addition, at 14:20 UTC, the station at Timpone Del Fuoco (TDF) detected a 0.5 microradiant difference in ground deformation.
Following the explosions, the tremor amplitude dropped to medium levels by 22:00 UTC, with no noteworthy increases in the frequency or magnitude of explosive quakes. Ground deformation did not vary significantly between GNSS stations.
Stromboli is well-known for its practically continual eruptive activity, which includes minor explosions and lava flows that have lasted more than a millennium.
The volcano’s eruptions have drawn many people, earning it the nickname “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.”
The recent activities represent a continuation of Stromboli’s historical behavior, in which the volcano has gone through two primary eruptive cycles, the last of which formed the current terrain some 5 000 years ago.
References:
1 COMUNICATO STROMBOLI – INGV – November 2, 2024
2 COMUNICATO STROMBOLI – INGV – November 3, 2024
3 Geological Summary of Stromboli – GVP – Accessed November 4, 2024
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