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Chronology of the 2007 eruption of Stromboli and the activity 1 of the Scientific Synthesis Group
- Publication date
- Publisher
- Elsevier
Abstract
On 27 February 2007, at 12.49 GMT, a new eruption of Stromboli took place with the effusion of a
15 lava flow from a fracture cutting the flank of the NE cone, which rapidly reached the sea. The eruption
16 had been heralded by an increase in the amplitude of tremor and flank movement since at least the 14th
17 of February. Short-term precursors were an increase in the rate of occurrence of small landslides within
18 the “Sciara del Fuoco” scar on the North-western flank of the volcano. A new effusive vent opened at
19 18.30 GMT on the Sciara del Fuoco at an height of 400 m asl. The new lava emission caused the
20 sudden termination of the summit flow and initiated a period of non-stationary lava outpouring which
21 ended on 2 April, 2007. The eruption has been characterized by a rapid decrease in the eruption rate
after the first days and subsequently by episodic pulse increases. On the 15th 22 of March, the increase in
23 lava outpouring, monitored by a thermal camera, heralded by 9 minutes the occurrence of a violent
24 paroxysmal explosion with the formation of an impulsive eruption column and the emission of small
25 pumices mingled with black scoriae. The pumice had a bulk composition similar to that of the lava and
26 of the black scoriae, but with a distinct lower content of phenocrysts. A similar feature has been
27 repeateadly observed during the major explosive paroxysms of Stromboli. Short term precursors of the
28 paroxysm were recorded by strainmeter and tiltmeter stations. The volcano monitoring activity has
29 been made by a joint team of researchers from the INGV sections of Catania, Napoli, Palermo and
30 Rome, along with researchers from the University of Florence, Pisa, Roma Tre, and Palermo. The
31 scientific activity was coordinated by a Synthesis Group made up by the responsibles of the different
32 monitoring techniques of INGV and Universities and by the volcanic experts of Commissione Nazionale Grandi Rischi of the Prime Minister Office (Civil Protection Department). 33 The group made a
34 daily evaluation of the state of the volcano and transmitted its recommendations to the Civil Protection
35 Department (DPC). Several prevention measures were adopted by DPC, the main of which were the
36 evacuation of the coast zone when strong acceleration of the Sciara del Fuoco slope motion (occurred
37 twice) could led to a dangerous tsunami by flank collapse (as last occurred on 30 December 2002) and
38 four days before the 15 March paroxysm when access was prohibited to the part of the volcano above
39 290m as