Volcanic hazard

Abstract

The western side of the Apennines, from Tuscany to Campania, is characterized by the presence of many Quaternary volcanic edifices, three of which are still active: Vesuvius (last eruption in 1944), Campi Flegrei (1538) and Ischia (1301). Other active volcanoes are found in eastern Sicily (Mt Etna), in the Sicily channel where two submarine eruptions occurred in 1831 and 1891, and in the Aeolian islands of Stromboli (persistently active), Vulcano (1888–1890) and Lipari (729). Over two million people live on/or in proximity to these volcanoes, and their lives and/or properties are at risk in the case of eruption. There are two main scientific actions to be undertaken in order to protect this population: (1) to elaborate for each volcano a reliable scenario of the phenomena to be expected in case of eruption, to be used for specific and detailed Civil Protection preparedness plans, and (2) to maintain on the volcanoes a permanent and efficient monitoring network allowing for the early recognition of geophysical and geochemical precursory phenomena indicating that an eruption is impending.