Major eruptive style changes induced by structural modifications of a shallow conduit system: the 2007–2012 Stromboli case

Stromboli is known for its mild, persistent explosive
activity from the vents located within the summit crater
depression at the uppermost part of the Sciara del Fuoco (SdF)
depression. Effusive activity (lava flows) at this volcano normally
occurs every 5–15 years, involving often the opening of
eruptive fissures along the SdF, and more rarely overflows
from the summit crater. Between the end of the 2007 effusive
eruption and December 2012, the number of lava flows inside
and outside the crater depression has increased significantly,
reaching a total of 28, with an average of 4.8 episodes per year.
An open question is why this activity has become so frequent
during the last 6 years and was quite rare before. In this paper,
we describe this exceptional activity and propose an interpretation
based on the structural state of the volcano, changed
after the 2002–2003 and even more after the 2007 flank
effusive eruption. We use images from the Stromboli fixed
cameras network, as well as ground photos, plume SO2 and
CO2 fluxes released by the summit crater, and continuous
fumarole temperature recording, to unravel the interplay
between magma supply, structural and morphology
changes, and lava flow output. Our results might
help forecast the future behaviour and hazard at
Stromboli and might be applicable to other openconduit
volcanoes.

partially supported by the Project
INGV-DPC Paroxysm V2/03, 2007–2009 funded by the Istituto
Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia and the Italian Civil Protection

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