Crisi vulcaniche e demografiche nella storia delle isole Eolie

Abstract

In the context of the multi-millennial history of the Aeolian Islands, there have been long periods of demographic crises whose dynamics are unclear. Among possible causes, recent studies identify significant volcanic events that occurred on Stromboli, Vulcano and Lipari, the main island hosting the oldest settlements about 7.3 ka ago. An initial decline occurred during the 4th millennium BC, which appears linked to the evolution of the La Fossa cone on Vulcano and to repeated collapses on the Neostromboli volcano. A second crisis occurred between the 10-7th centuries BC; the most recent was in the early Middle Ages, with the resumption of the volcanism of Lipari and Vulcano, including the Insulam Vulcanelli, which emerged around the year 1000. The direct and indirect effects of the most significant volcanic events, as well as the perception of the relative risk, took their toll on local communities, contributing to drastic demographic declines on several occasions.