On the Sicilian vacation island of Vulcano, researchers noticed rising temperatures and toxic gases.
An early outbreak cannot be ruled out.
Vulcano, Sicily - A volcanic eruption on an island called Vulcano: At first glance, that doesn't sound particularly surprising.
But it actually happened on “Vulcano” for the last time in 1888. Researchers cannot yet say with certainty whether an eruption is imminent 133 years later.
What is clear, however, is that the volcano is haunted by poisonous gases that could endanger the population.
Vulcano: Rising temperatures and toxic gases
As early as October, volcanologists noticed the escape of toxic gases and rising temperatures at "Vulcano". Vulcano is one of the Aeolian Islands, also called Aeolian Islands, which are located in the north of Sicily in the Tyrrhenian Sea. This weekend, authorities raised the warning level for "Vulcano" from yellow to orange. "The gas concentration in the air is of great concern to us," said Mayor Marco Giorgianni at a town meeting at the weekend, as the Italian news agency ANSA reported on Saturday. There was an increased concentration of carbon dioxide at so-called fumaroles. Fumaroles are those parts of a volcano where gases and steam escape. Researchers had measured values of 480 tons of CO2 there, 80 tons are normal, according to the mayor.The concentrations of toxic hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide were also higher than usual. Above all, carbon dioxide is dangerous. This is heavier than air and could therefore accumulate in rooms and displace the oxygen. It is feared that this could cause people to suffocate in their sleep.
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An example of fumaroles: This is where fumes emerge at Alcedo Crater on the Galapagos Islands.
© McPHOTO / imago stock & people / Imago
The modern word "volcano" is derived from the name of this Italian island.
And not without reason: From the point of view of researchers, Vulcano is more dangerous than Mount Etna in Sicily or the neighboring Stromboli, which is also on the Aeolian Islands.
Since no lava emerges on Vulcano, the pressure increases until an explosive eruption occurs at some point, according to the scientists.
Etna is also active in Sicily, but it gives off lava fountains from time to time, so that the pressure inside is reduced, writes the
standard
.
There was an explosive outbreak recently at Cumbre Vieja on the Spanish island of La Palma.
Vulcano: Some citizens are no longer allowed to stay overnight on the island
The mayor of the city ordered at the weekend that some residents are no longer allowed to stay in their homes.
This affects around 250 of the approximately 500 inhabitants of the island, as
reported by
the Italian
La Stampa
.
The municipality wants to help the residents with the costs of accommodation and hotels.
Those who live on higher floors are allowed to stay.
Tourists are prohibited from entering the island until further notice.
In addition, according to the mayor's instructions, entering the port area is prohibited between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Marco Giorgianni ordered the measurement of the gas concentration across the island.
As soon as the data from the measurement are available, he will order new measures, continues Giorgianni.
Even scientists cannot currently predict whether an outbreak is imminent.
The only thing that is certain is that "the geological and thermal processes inside the volcano are out of balance, which has led to increased gas emissions," said the President of the Italian Association of Volcanologists, Marco Viccaro, of the newspaper
Standard
.
"The development must be followed closely in any case," the expert continues.