Mt. Stromboli Eruption Timeline

By ragzed
  • Ashfall

    Eruptions from Stromboli volcano caused ashfall on Catania in eastern SIcily
  • Avalanche/Tsunami/Lava Flow

    strong eruptions at Stromboli volcano produced pine-shaped cloud 2000m high. a glowing avalanche extended towward the eastern side of the island. A tsunami was generated. Lava flow down the Sciara del Fuoco lasted until the end of October
  • Lava Flow

    A lava flow began at Stromboli volcano on 6th June 1952 without any precursory explosions. Inhabitants of San Vincenzo were not aware of the flow until alerted by a tourist, arriving by ship, who saw it flowing down the Sciara del Fuoco. The lava flow continued for several days.
  • Tsunami/Lava Flow

    Glowing clouds were produced at Stromboli volcano in February and March 1954. A tsunami was generated along with moderate explosions and a lava flow.
  • Submarine Eruption

    A submarine eruption occurred 50 m from the coast of Stromboli in February and March 1955.
  • Lava Flow into Sea

    Lava flowed to the sea down the Sciara del Fuoco on 3rd April 1971.
  • Lava Flow to North Coast

    A new lava flow began at Stromboli volcano on 5th November 1975. Lava reached the north coast of the island. The lava flow was fed by a subterminal vent, which opened on Sciara at about 700 m altitude. Strong explosions occurred at the crater terrace ejecting bombs to a height of 800 m.
  • Lava Flow

    A lava flow began at Stromboli volcano on 6th December 1986. At 08:15, a small nuée ardente descended the NW flank of Sciara del Fuoco and reached the sea. Lava flowed into the sea, forming a small peninsula at the NE end of the Sciara del Fuoco. A tourist was killed at the summit on 24th July 1986. The victim was 15 m from the crater rim and hit by a falling block.
  • Ejecta

    Tourists at Stromboli volcano were hit by ejecta on 26th March 1989. The large eruptions occurred without warning, and highlight the dangers of close approach to volcanic vents. One tourist broke an arm while fleeing in panic.
  • Major Explosion

    A major explosion occurred at 0237 hr on 20th October 2001. Large blocks of lava landed at Pizzo sopra La Fossa (summit), with a maximum diameter of 40 cm. Ejecta hit a group of tourists a few hundred meters away from the vents, killing one person.
  • Explosion

    A large explosion occurred on 23rd January 2002 at 2054 hr. The explosion was heard from all villages on the island. A large fallout of debris covered an area near the summit frequented by tourists. This would may have resulted in injuries if tourists had been at the location.
  • Flank eruption and Tsunami

    On 28 December 2002 a lava flow started in the summit area, and continued until 22nd July 2003. On 30th December 2002 two landslides occurred at 1315 and 1322 hr along the Sciara del Fuoco. The large volume of rock crashing into the sea created two tsunamis, with wave heights of several metres. The tsunamis hit the villages of Stromboli and Ginostra, damaging buildings and boats and injuring several people. Six people were evacuated by helicopter to two hospitals on Sicily.
  • Flank eruption

    A flank eruption started at Stromboli volcano on 27th February 2007 and continued to at least 15th March. Lava flowed in three branches from the flank of NE crater to the sea. A new vent opened at the eastern edge of Sciara del Fuoco at about 400 m elevation on the first day of the eruption. A large explosion occurred on 15th March 2007.
  • Eruptions

    Strombolian eruptions continue in 2008. In June there were four active vents, producing eruptions about twenty times per hour.
  • Eruptions

    Eruptions continue at Stromboli volcano in October 2009.
  • Eruptions

    During April 2011 activity at Stromboli volcano remained normal with low to medium eruptions occurring from several vents in the summit area. The vents were located at in the north and south of the crater terrace. The northern vent was the most active during the month, with eruptions producing ejecta up to 200 m high, 2-4 times per hour. Two southern vents produced eruptions 1-6 times per hour and ejected lava up to 120 m high.