Volcanoes of Central and South Italy

Panoramic view of the Vulsini volcanotectonic depression, filled with marvellous Lago di Bolsena. View is from Montefiascone to the NW, on 5 March 1994. Two small islands, Martana (left) and Bisentina (right) lie in the southern central area of the lake, formed by post-caldera lacustrine eruptions. Historic records indicate that eruptive activity of Vulsini volcano occurred as recently as 104 BC, but geologic evidence exists only for eruptions until about 150 ka ago.

Monte Cimino, a Pleistocene lava dome complex near the town of Viterbo (north of Roma), seen from the village of Vitorchiano, 4 March 1994. This volcanic complex produced a voluminous ignimbrite sheet locally known as "Peperino", a very hard material well suitable for building.

The caldera of the Vico volcano, south of Viterbo (Lazio) and adjacent to Monte Cimino (above). Part of the picturesque caldera lake and the intracaldera cone of Monte Venere carrying a light dusting of snow are visible in this winter image, taken on 2 January 1995. The caldera collapsed some 150 ka ago, and the last activity of Monte Venere took place some 95 ka ago.

Sabatini Volcanic Complex

View of the northern part of Lago di Bracciano, the largest structure of the Sabatini complex. The lake fills a volcanotectonic depression formed about3.7 Ma ago. Monte Rocca Romana, a postcaldera stratocone is visible on the right (northern) side of the depression. Taken from the rim of the Sacrofano basin, in late April 1996.

The Colli Albani (Alban Hills) are seen here from the southern outskirts of Roma, March 1992. Monte Cavo forms what appears to be a central cone (which, in fact, is only a high crater rim). Since the photo was taken, tens of private television antenna have been deployed on the summit (there were less than 10 in March 1992). Colli Albani most recently erupted about 22,000 years ago, forming the craters now filled by the beautiful lakes of Albano and Nemi. The area is still seismically active, as demonstrated again on 12-13 June 1995 when Roma was jolted by a series of earthquakes (up to magnitude 3.9 Richter).

Lying somewhat far away from classical tourist areas, Roccamonfina, south of the town of Cassino, is being visited much less than the historically active volcanoes around Napoli. It is, however, being vigorously studied geologically. This view, taken in March 1993, shows the volcano from the W (near Sessa Aurunca). The caldera wall with its highest point on the left side is well distinguishable, the post-caldera lava dome of Monte Santacroce looming above it. Roccamonfina has been the site of several large-volume, ignimbrite-forning eruptions.

References

Amato A, Chiarabba C, Cocco M, Di Bona M & Selvaggi G (1994) The 1989-1990 seismic swarm in the Alban Hills volcanic area, Central Italy. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 61: 225-237

Amato A & Chiarabba C (1995) Recent uplift of the Alban Hills Volcano (Italy): evidence for magmatic inflation? Geophysical Research Letters 22: 1985-1988

Cole PD, Guest JE, Chester DK & Bianchi R (1992) Post-collapse volcanic history of calderas on a composite volcano: an example from Roccamonfina, southern Italy. Bulletin of Volcanology 54: 253-266

De Rita D (1993) Il vulcanismo. In: Società Geologica Italiana (ed) Guide Geologiche Regionali: Lazio. 50-64

De Rita D, Funiciello R, Rossi U and Sposato A (1983) Structure and evolution of the Sacrofano-Baccano Caldera, Sabatini Volcanic Complex, Rome. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research vol 17: 219-236

De Rita D, Funiciello R and Rosa C (1988) Caratteristiche deposizionali della II colata piroclastica del Tuscolano-Artemisio (complesso vulcanico dei Colli Albani). Bollettino del Gruppo Nazionale per la Vulcanologia for 1988: 278-298

De Rita D, Funiciello R and Parotto M (1988) Carta geologica del Complesso Vulcanico dei Colli Albani (Scale 1:50,000). C.N.R. Progetto Finalizzato Geodinamica, Gruppo Nazionale per la Vulcanologia, Roma

Giannetti B & Luhr JF (1983) The White Trachytic Tuff of Roccamonfina Volcano (Roman region, Italy). Contributions for Mineralogy and Petrology 84: 235-252

Luhr JF & Giannetti B (1987) The Brown Leucitic Tuff of Roccamonfina Volcano (Roman region, Italy). Contributions for Mineralogy and Petrology 95: 420-436

Trigila R (editor, 1995) The volcano of tha Alban Hills. Tipografia S.G.S. Roma: 1-283