The relationship between Etna and Stromboli volcanoes: together, but not mixed

barely Etna and Stromboli are 120 kilometers apartthe most active volcano in Europe. Both the short distance and the unusual volcanic activity that has occurred in recent months have led tourists, journalists and even some experts to wonder if there is some kind of event the relationship between them.

This question is answered very emphatically by the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV): No, the Etna and Stromboli volcanoes are not connected. In fact, they are born from two totally different geological processes. The only connection between the two is their proximity and, according to the latest studies, part of the magma that feeds their calderas may originate from nearby, but not joint locations.

They have a very interesting connection in Sicilian popular culture, since both volcanoes are treated as if they were members of a typical Sicilian family. Known as Stromboli iddu or “she”, and is a masculine and violent entity. On the other hand, Etna is known as To Muntagna

And it is said that her character is that of an island mother: somewhat grumpy and strict, but always ready to give the best to her children, which is why she is loved and respected.

Nourishing two volcanoes

Located approximately 30 kilometers below the surface of Sicily The huge magma reservoir that nourishes Etna. As molten rock moves up through the Earth’s crust, its path is divided into small chambers where it accumulates for years. Even if one of the magma chambers fills up, the geological process doesn’t stop.

Magma Keep trying to get in. Since space is limited and fluids cannot be compressed, the pressure in the chambers increases. Suddenly, a fracture occurs and, after a tremendous explosion, the magma, along with other gases, may escape to the surface, where it will be ejected as lava by anyone. Numerous craters,

However, in Stromboli, the process is a bit more complicated. To study the depth of the “Mediterranean Lighthouse”, a joint project of the Universities of Florence and Granada used more than 30 seismometers, both terrestrial and underwater, with which they obtained Detect hundreds of tiny tremors,

Because seismic waves travel differently in solids and liquids, the researchers were able to get a 3-dimensional view of the volcanic chamber. Once they entered the data into a 3D modeling program, they discovered where the origin of the magma that feeds the Strombolian volcano is located approximately 200 kilometers below the surface

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As it rises, it stops at various tanks located one above the other. One of them is located in the deposit 12 kilometers deep and, above this, a magmatic chamber located between 2 and 4 kilometers from the surface. In addition to these large chambers, other smaller magma reservoirs can also be found close to the surface.

A very special magma

In the case of Stromboli, the origin of the magma is the result of plate tectonics, since it is located at the point where The African plate subducts beneath the Eurasian plate. During the subduction process, large quantities of water and other gases are also trapped, which, when heated, suddenly increase the pressure of the magmatic chambers.

When the rock succumbs to the pressure, gases and water vapor are rapidly released and cause powerful explosions, including the characteristic eruptions of this volcano. Strombolian type eruptions,

However, on Etna, it may be the result of a hole created in the Earth’s crust due to the tremendous stresses that are exerted in that specific area. According to Boris Benke, a volcanologist at INGV, this origin is clear evidence of The two volcanoes are very different and are not related to each other.

A “give and take” among the mountains.

Stromboli has increased its activity significantly in recent times, which has also impressed the authorities Raise the alert level from orange to red. In recent days, the volcano has spewed out huge columns of smoke, 5 to 6 kilometres high, and the volcanic lava flow has increased significantly.

The resulting lava river flowing down the slope of the volcano is called Sciarra del Fuocountil it reaches the sea safely. Once there, it has created a dangerous cloud about half a kilometer long.

Meanwhile, Etna has also suddenly become active this week. Last July 4, The crater known as “Voragin” Large quantities of incandescent material began to be ejected. Copious fountains of lava began to accumulate in a cone that rapidly rose above the surrounding terrain.

In just 7 hours, Voragine had risen a total of 107 meters, reaching a height equal to that of the highest southeastern crater on the mountain (3,353 meters). On July 7, activity resumed Cyclone It rose another 16 metres, bringing its height to 3,369 metres, currently, The highest peak of Etna. During this second event, the volcano also ejected a 9 kilometre-high pyroclastic cloud, forcing the Catania airport to be closed for several hours.

Volcanologists are trying to understand what is happening iddu with and To Muntagna. In the last few months they have become more erratic than usual, so INGV has increased its minute-by-minute monitoring of the activity of both volcanoes. In this way, they hope to be able to Minimize damage If there are signs of a major explosion.