Descrizione 1
Elisa Brustia, Pio Di Manna
The indicator is defined by the number of volcanic eruptions that have had significant effects in terms of interference with human activities over the course of the year. Regarding the reference year (2023), there was continuous eruptive activity from Etna and Strombolian activity with occasional intensity peaks at Stromboli.
The indicator is determined by the number of volcanic eruptions that have occurred in Italian territory and have had notable effects or consequences on the environment and human activities.
To describe volcanic activity, its environmental effects, and its impact on human activities in Italian territory.
VESUVIUS
Directive of the President of the Council of Ministers (November 16, 2015): Provisions for updating emergency planning for volcanic risk at Vesuvius, specifically for areas subject to pyroclastic fallout (Yellow Zone).
Directive of February 14, 2014: Provisions for updating emergency planning for volcanic risk at Vesuvius.
Decree of the Head of Department (February 2, 2015): Guidelines for the National Service Components and Operational Structures for updating emergency plans related to the precautionary evacuation of the population in the Red Zone of the Vesuvius area.
CAMPI FLEGREI
Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers (June 24, 2016): Provisions for updating emergency planning for volcanic risk in the Campi Flegrei area (covering the Red Zone, Yellow Zone, and Twin Cities Map).
Decree of the Head of Department (February 2, 2015): Guidelines for the National Service Components and Operational Structures for updating emergency plans related to the precautionary evacuation of the population in the Red Zone of the Vesuvius area (also applicable to Campi Flegrei).
Resolution No. 547 of the Campania Region (September 4, 2018): Evacuation planning, approval of meeting points and gates (Annex 1 – List of meeting points and gates).
ETNA
Municipality of Catania - Municipal Emergency Plan, Revision and Update (December 2012): (Art. 3 bis, Law No. 100 of 07/03/2012). Annex R: Volcanic Risk.
STROMBOLI
National Emergency Plan for Volcanic Events of National Relevance: (pursuant to Art. 107, paragraph 1, letter f) of Legislative Decree No. 112 of March 31, 1998) – August 2015.
VULCANO
National Civil Protection Plan for Volcanic Risk on the Island of Vulcano: (Department of Civil Protection - EME/0053056) – December 7, 2021. Ordinance No. 14 of January 29, 2022.
Descrizione 2
http://www.ingv.it/; http://www.protezionecivile.gov.it;
De Beni et al., 2024.
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Qualificazione dati
http://www.ingv.it/; http://www.protezionecivile.gov.it/
National
2002-2023
Qualificazione indicatore
The indicator was developed through in-depth bibliographic research of the necessary data. This research was conducted mainly online, using sources from the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV - https://www.ingv.it) and the Civil Protection website (https://www.protezionecivile.gov.it).
In 2023, numerous eruptions of Etna and explosions—sometimes of greater intensity—at Stromboli were recorded in Italian territory.
It is not possible to define a trend. It can be reported that the years in which volcanic activity caused the most damage were 2002, with numerous injuries both from the eruption itself and from the tidal wave generated by the Stromboli eruption, and 2019, when one man was killed and another injured during the Stromboli eruption (Table 3). In 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2016 there were no significant eruptions in terms of interference with anthropogenic activities or damage to property or people. In general, volcanic activity has been constant with some peaks in intensity.
Dati
Table 1: Volcanic eruptions occurred in 2023
ISPRA on INGV data.
Table 2: Monitoring networks of Italian volcanoes
INGV
Table 3: Historical series
ISPRA on INGV data
Etna eruption (August 13-14, 2023)
INGV
Etna
Throughout 2023, Etna experienced three paroxysmal events.
The May 21st event affected the Southeast Crater of Etna but was not observed in real-time due to poor weather conditions. Monitoring systems indicated an eruption with a lava fountain and the emission of two lava flows, one moving south and the other east. On-site surveys, including drone usage, satellite data analysis, and airport radar readings, confirmed the occurrence of a pyroclastic density current fast-moving flow of hot magmatic material mixed with gas descending the volcano’s slopes at high speed (De Beni et al., 2024). Observations reconstructed an ash column reaching heights between 10 and 15 kilometers, resulting from an eruption divided into three phases: a weakly strombolian initial phase, a proper strombolian phase, and finally, a lava fountain (De Beni et al., 2024). This event did not significantly interfere with human activities.
A significant increase in activity at the Southeast Crater occurred on the evening of August 13th, marked by a rise in tremors and glowing emissions. The activity intensified overnight and into August 14th, rapidly evolving from strombolian activity to lava fountains reaching 300-400 meters above the crater. Initially, the eruption was concentrated at the eastern vent, later expanding to the "saddle vent," where lava flowed into the niche formed by the cone collapse on February 10, 2022. At the height of the paroxysm, at least 5-6 vents within the Southeast Crater were active, producing lava fountains that triggered significant incandescent material fallout on the slopes, igniting multiple pyroclastic flows.
At the southwestern base of the crater, an effusive vent opened, emitting a lava flow toward the southwest. The resulting pyroclastic eruptive plume rose several kilometers above the summit and was carried south by the wind, causing ash and lapilli fallout around Rifugio Sapienza. Nicolosi and Mascalucia, towns at the volcano's base, were affected by pyroclastic material, while Catania and the Siracusa area experienced ash fallout, leading to disruptions at Catania Airport. On August 14, 2023, the airport’s management company issued a suspension of flight operations until 06:00 on August 15, canceling all incoming and outgoing flights.
Signs of weak eruptive activity at the Southeast Crater were observed in early October 2023, culminating in a full eruption on November 12, 2023. This event featured spectacular lava fountains hundreds of meters high and a dense eruption cloud laden with pyroclastic material (ash and lapilli), which fell on the volcano’s eastern flank.
The eruption began with strombolian activity and minor lava overflows, later intensifying into lava fountains with incandescent jets and a dense black ash-and-lapilli plume. This was carried eastward by the wind and accompanied by loud explosions. Pyroclastic fallout affected a narrow sector on the volcano's eastern flank, extending from Milo-Zafferana to Torre Archirafi-Pozzillo.
Stromboli
In 2023, Stromboli displayed ordinary strombolian explosive activity of variable intensity from both the northern and central-southern crater areas.
In the northern caldera area, spattering activity periodically intensified into more powerful explosive eruptions and lava overflows. Notable episodes occurred between March 23-26 and October 3-9, with lava flowing into the Sciara del Fuoco. The central-southern area exhibited predominantly moderate-intensity activity, with spattering and occasional stronger explosions, such as the event on March 25.
During periods of heightened explosive activity (February 27 - March 26, August 2 - August 13, and September 27 - October 10), the Etna Observatory issued orange-level VONA (Volcano Observatory Notices for Aviation) alerts.
Table 1 summarizes the most significant paroxysmal events and key volcanic phenomena recorded in 2023.