Vulcano Stromboli

Stromboli is an active volcano rising from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Locals call it Iddu, “He.” Its persistent activity is visible around the summit craters and along the Sciara del Fuoco on the island’s northern flank.

Why it matters

Stromboli’s eruptive activity has been documented for several centuries. In low-energy phases, incandescent bursts can repeat every 25 to 35 minutes. The characteristic pattern gave its name to strombolian activity, a term used in volcanology. The intensity and visibility of eruptions vary.

What to notice

The cone rises to 924 metres above sea level, while its base extends roughly 2,000 metres below the sea. On the northern flank, the Sciara del Fuoco is a broad collapse depression descending to about 1,700 metres below sea level, along which lava and incandescent debris can travel toward the water. The active vents cluster on a crater terrace around 750 metres, divided into north-east, central and south-west areas. Pizzo sopra la Fossa, at 918 metres, overlooks the crater zone.

Context and history

The ancient Greek name for the island was Strongyle, “the round one.” Major paroxysms are documented in 1919 and 1930. The 2002–03 eruption lasted 206 days and carried lava to the shoreline; further paroxysms occurred in 2003 and 2007. On 3 July and 28 August 2019, strong explosions led to the closure of the summit area. Eruptions can vary unpredictably in intensity and direction; ejecta may reach the island’s villages, and landslides along the Sciara del Fuoco can generate waves affecting low-lying shores. The Aeolian Islands were inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2000 for their volcanic processes.