Record of historical eruptions at the Fossa and Vulcanello cones

This list is largely based on Frazzetta et al. (1984); other (in part doubtful) eruptive activity mentioned in Volcanoes of the World (1994 edition) is indicated with "(VOTW 94)".

475(?) BC -- eruption from Fossa with ejection of incandescent material (may also have occurred in 424-423 BC)
360±10 BC -- violent eruption from Fossa, formation of a new eruption vent ("Palizzi crater", possibly the source of the Palizzi lava flow)
Between 350 and 300 BC -- maybe the same event as preceding, rumblings heard as far away as Taormina
300 BC -- explosive activity from Fossa
215 BC -- submarine activity near Vulcano (VOTW 94)
183 BC -- island of Vulcanello emerges in the strait between Vulcano and Lipari, formation of Vulcanello I cone
126 BC -- submarine activity "between Vulcano and Panarea" (VOTW 94), maybe date of Vulcanello's birth instead of previous
91 BC -- Vulcanello erupting, Fossa apparently quiet
24±5 BC -- activity, probably from Vulcanello
10±10 BC -- Vulcanello erupting
1st century AD -- explosive activity from Fossa, ejection of incandescent material
144 AD -- eruption from Fossa; then about 300 years of apparent repose
526 or 580 -- Fossa and Vulcanello both erupting, formation of Vulcanello III. Legend of San Calogero says that volcanic activity shifted from Lipari (monte Pilato) to Vulcanello and then to Fossa, still farther away from Lipari
729 -- strong activity from Fossa, causing pumice falls on Lipari, access to Fossa impossible due to the activity
between 900 and 950 -- unspecified activity on Vulcano island, maybe confusion with previous activity record. Then no recorded activity for about 400 years
13th century -- activity, probably from Vulcanello
4 February 1444 -- eruption from unknown source on Vulcano, blocks or bombs thrown up to 10 km away
1550 -- eruption from Vulcanello III, Vulcanello island becomes linked to Vulcano (formation of isthmus between Porto Lavante and Porto Ponente). Latest recorded eruptive event at Vulcanello, possibly extrusion of Punta del Roveto lava flow that is known for the picturesque scenery of "Valle dei Mostri"
1618 -- eruption at Vulcano, no further details
March-April 1626 -- eruption from unspecified source at Vulcano
1631 -- eruption at Vulcano, no source vent known
1651 -- Fossa erupts explosively
1688 -- explosive eruption from Fossa followed by about 35 years of quiet
1727 -- eruption from Fossa and formation of the Forgia Vecchia II crater on the N flank of Fossa cone
1731-1739 -- prolonged eruptive period from Fossa that ends with the extrusion of the Pietre Cotte lava flow
17 February - May 1771 -- strong explosive activity from Fossa
1775(?) -- doubtful eruption (VOTW 94), but reports of fumarolic activity
1780 -- explosive activity from Fossa, then fumarolic activity for >1 century
1786(?) -- doubtful eruptive activity from Fossa (VOTW 94)
1812(?) -- doubtful eruption from Fossa (VOTW 94)
1822-1823(?) -- doubtful eruption from Fossa (VOTW 94)
1831(?) -- doubtful eruption from Fossa (VOTW 94)
September 1873-1879 -- intermittent explosive activity from Fossa
2 August 1888-22 March 1890 -- prolonged eruptive period from Fossa

Page set up on 6 January 1996, last modified on 27 June 1996