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The eruptive activity of the Fossa crater
was intense, with more or less long intevals, until the beginning of the
historical age; Tucidide, towards the
end of the V century B.C. supplies us
with the first information. During the second half of the IV century B.C. it
seems
that this volcano has given rise to violent
explosive action and during the succeeding centuries we have news of
numerous eruptions.
Eruptive activities, with character of explosions, took place in 43 A.D. and
afterwards in 1444, 1550, 1626, 1727-1739,
1771-1786, 1812-1831, 1873-1879 and
1886-1890.
In 1771 there was an intense activity during which there was ejected the riolitic
obsidian outflow called Pietre Cotte,
which can be seen on the North Western
side.
The most recent period of activity began
on the 3rd August 1888 and ended on
22nd march 1890. During this eruptive
phase there was an ejection of antique
and contemporary material of large
dimensions and the launching of projectiles which were called "bread-crust"
bombs. From that time Vulcano has remained in a fumarolic phase which is
limited to the cone of the Fossa and to
the interior of its crater.
From 1913 to 1923, from the fumaroles
of the external part of cone, there occurred four abundant ejections of liquid
sulphur.
Near the large rocks of Porto di Levante
one encounters another fumarolic area,
between the remains of an ancient
volcanic building, for the most part
dismantled. In 1915 on the contour of a
lavic outflow, at Lentia, other fumaroles
were formed which were only shortlived.
Also in the three crateric funnels of
Vulcanello, up to last century, there occurred a solfataric activity, today
completely extinguished.
In the fumarolic area of Porto di Levante
there are interesting phenomena. In certain tracts the ground is covered by a
silical-chalk stratum fractured by small
openings. At the point of insertion there
arise small cones from the top of which
the gases escape with a strong hissing
sound.
In those parts there is an extensive
swamp where the mud is often thrown
on high by the violently escaping gas.
During Summer months the ground is
covered by a beautiful and variegated
colour. It is due to efflorescence (fumarolic sublimations) of ferrous and
aluminium sulphate oozing from the ground.
These formations disappear with the
rain.
Around the rocks and in front of the
beach there occurs the typical
phenomenon of the gurgling water caused by underwater fumaroles. On the
seabed one notices vast deposits of colloidal sulphur in the form of thin flaky
filaments which give to the sea a milky
aspect. The gas, bursting out, generates
numerous bubbles on the surface of the
sea. The phenomenon can be seen very
well from the height of the rocks when
the sea is calm.
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