Vulcano Island what to know

The following contents arise from the collaboration between the Civil Protection Department, the Sicilian Region and the Vesuvian and Etnean Observatories of Ingv - National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. The content has been developed for the National exercise Vulcano 2022, also in view of the national communication campaign I don't take risks Volcano Island. 

It is an active volcano
Vulcano is the southest of the seven islands that make up the Aeolian archipelago, with an extension of 22 square kilometers and an altitude of 500m above sea level (Monte Aria) and represents the emerged part of a volcano with a base 900 meters below sea level. The principal eruptive centers considered active are the crater of La Fossa and the cones of Vulcanello.

The last eruption dates back to 1888-98. Since then the volcano is quiescent and shows strong activity of gas and steam emission with high temperature from the crater of La Fossa and close to Porto di Levante.

Since September 2021, the increases in the parameters of concentration and temperature of the monitored volcanic gases led to increase the alert to yellow, which indicates a potential state of disequilibrium of the volcano.

The island counts about 1400 residents but during the summer it can host thousands of tourists.
It is an active volcano
Vulcano is the southest of the seven islands that make up the Aeolian archipelago, with an extension of 22 square kilometers and an altitude of 500m above sea level (Monte Aria) and represents the emerged part of a volcano with a base 900 meters below sea level. The principal eruptive centers considered active are the crater of La Fossa and the cones of Vulcanello.

The last eruption dates back to 1888-98. Since then the volcano is quiescent and shows strong activity of gas and steam emission with high temperature from the crater of La Fossa and close to Porto di Levante.

Since September 2021, the increases in the parameters of concentration and temperature of the monitored volcanic gases led to increase the alert to yellow, which indicates a potential state of disequilibrium of the volcano.

The island counts about 1400 residents but during the summer it can host thousands of tourists.

Is it possible to predict volcanic activity? 
On Vulcano there is a monitoring system of geophysical and geochemical parameters (seismicity, soil deformation, gas composition and temperature, etc.), whose variations can identify possible evolutions of its state of activity. These variations could anticipate an eruption. 

However, dangerous phenomena such as phreatic explosions - emissions of steam, water, ash, rock and volcanic bombs - can occur at any time without precursory signals that can be detected by the monitoring system. 

How the warning system works 
The national warning system for Italian volcanoes provides specific " alert levels " (GREEN, YELLOW, ORANGE, RED) describing the state of activity of the volcano according to the activity parameters of the monitoring system and the ongoing phenomena. Each level corresponds to increasingly important parameter variations and, in general, the possibility of occurrence of dangerous phenomena.   

Some dangerous phenomena, such as phreatic explosions, can occur suddenly, regardless of the declared alert level.

In order to cope with variations in the status of the volcano, the Civil Protection Department sets up different operational phases ( ATTENTION, PRE-ALARM, ALARM) that provide specific civil protection measures for risk mitigation and protection of the population.  The operational phases are not necessarily linked to the level of alert, as they depend not only on the state of the volcano, but by operational choices related to different factors (eg number of people on the island according to the tourist season, etc.).

What can happen in case of an eruption?
An eruption of Vulcano would be preceded by a series of important variations of the monitored parameters and by potentially dangerous phenomena, such as earthquakes, landslides or the increase of gas emissions from the crater and from the soil in different part of the island.
The eruptions of Vulcano can have different intensity and occcur cyclically, even for years and are of two types:

  • The effusive eruptions mainly generate lava flows that slide on the surface with a temperature ranging from 700°C to 1200°C and with a speed of propagation that depends on the characteristics of the magma.
  • Explosive eruptions give rise to the expulsion and fallout of coarse materials (bombs and blocks) and fine materials (ash and lapilli). This type of eruption can generate a sustained eruptive column of gas and volcanic material of various sizes, which can reach up to several kilometers in height. High-temperature and high-velocity pyroclastic flows could flow along the slopes of La Fossa cone, and propagate on the sea surface up to hundreds of meters from the coast.

What the national civil protection plan provides for? 
The national civil protection plan provides for the stay on the island only to citizens resident in the island in case of declaration of the pre-alarm phase. The declaration of the alarm phase will be followed by the evacuation of the entire island. 

The population will be removed with ships from porto di Levante or molo di Gelso and molo di Ponente and, if necessary, with helicopters. The operational choices will also depend on the weather and sea conditions. 

Citizens can choose whether to find autonomous accommodation and receive an economic contribution, or receive hospitality in the accommodation provided by the Region and the Municipality. 

In case of rapid changes in the status of the volcano, resulting in a rapid transition to a phase of alarm, without being passed through the pre-alarm phase, the tourists present on the island would also be removed promptly.

Which other dangerous phenomena can derive from the volcanic activity?
On the island are possible several dangerous phenomena related to the volcano activity, as earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis. Tsunamis can originate from the eruptive activity of the volcano, from submarine earthquakes of strong intensity in the Mediterranean Sea or from large landslides in other coastal locations (e.g. Stromboli) or on the island of Vulcano.

The most common phenomenon among the volcano's states of activity is the release of volcanic gases from the subsoil and the fumarole both in the crater area and in areas outside the cone of La Fossa ( for example, the residential areas of Porto di Levante). The gas consists primarily of carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Such gases can be very dangerous to the health of anyone staying on the island even temporarily and, in the case of high concentrations it can become lethal even for short-term periods of exposure. The gases are heavier than air and are influenced by atmospheric conditions and stratify towards the ground.

The dangerous gases can affect the residential areas, especially Vulcano Porto, rising from the ground or coming from the crater and pushed down by the wind.

what to know

  •  If you live on or travel to the island of Vulcano, remember that you are on an active volcano.
  • The volcanic gases released on the island can be very dangerous to human health and animals in some concentrations. Some of these gases are odorless, tasteless and colorless and therefore cannot be perceived.
  • On the island of Vulcano there can also be earthquakes: remember the rules of conduct.
  • The coasts of the island of Vulcano can also be affected by tsunamis: if you see the sea retiring from the coast, move away immediately and quickly reach the nearest elevated area. If you are on a boat, move away towards the open sea.
  • Bathing in the waters surrounding the island, is regulated by ordinances, including the dangers associated with volcanic activity.
  • The practicability of the path that allows you to reach the top of the volcano La Fossa is regulated by Ordinances of the Lipari Municipality according to the activity of the volcano. However, the excursion is very difficult and dangerous because of the total exposure to the sun and the presence of gas.
  • The triggering of the alarm phase and the consequent evacuation of the island is not necessarily followed by a volcanic eruption. The access to the island would remain forbidden until different instructions from the authorities of civil protection.
  • It is impossible to determine immediately if and when to return to homes after the removal in the alarm phase. Follow the indications provided by the civil protection authorities.
     

What to do

With simple actions you can prepare yourself to deal with a possible emergency:

  • Do not use basement and semi-basement rooms for living, working or recreational activities. In particular, do not use them during the night for sleeping and do not let unaccompanied children enter them.
  • Ventilate rooms before entering (especially rooms that have been closed for a long time or basements such as cellars and garages).
  • Volcanic eruptions are often preceded by earthquakes. For this reason, check that your home is safe and take all necessary measures to avoid situations that could be dangerous for you or your family in case of an earthquake.
  • Find out about the Civil Protection Plan of the City of Lipari to know what are the procedures for removal and the waiting area where you should go in case of alarm.
  • If you or a person in your family needs special assistance (people with disabilities, elderly) inform the Municipality.
  • Go to the Visitor Center of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, open during touristic season, or to the websites of the Aeolian Monitoring Center of the Etnean Observatory of the INGV and of the Department of Civil Protection to find information on the dangers of and on the activities of civil protection.
  • Keep in mind the correct behaviors to adopt during the different operational phases (see attached file).
  • Participate to the exercises and meetings on volcanic risk organized on the territory.

 

KNOWLEDGE OF THE RISK AND OF RULES OF CONDUCT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE

It is important that everyone, residents or tourists, play their role to contribute to the success of civil protection activities. Share what you know with your family, school, work and friends.