Global Volcanism Program

The Global Volcanism Program has no activity reports for Ischia.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Ischia.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Ischia.

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

211030

1302 CE

789 m / 2588 ft

40.73°N
13.897°E

Volcano Types

Complex
Caldera
Lava dome(s)
Tuff ring(s)

Rock Types

Major
Trachyte / Trachydacite
Trachyandesite / Basaltic Trachyandesite

Minor
Phonolite
Trachybasalt / Tephrite Basanite
Phono-tephrite / Tephri-phonolite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Continental crust (> 25 km)

Population

Within 5 km
Within 10 km
Within 30 km
Within 100 km

18,669
20,210
383,661
5,729,354

Geological Summary

The Ischia volcanic complex forms a rectangular, 6 x 9 km island immediately SW of the Campi Flegrei area at the western side of the Bay of Naples. The eruption of the trachytic Green Tuff ignimbrite about 56,000 years ago was followed by caldera formation. The high point on the island, 789-m-high Monte Epomeo, is a volcanic horst composed of the Green Tuff ignimbrite deposit that was submerged after its eruption and then uplifted. Volcanism on the island has been significantly affected by tectonism that formed a series of horsts and grabens; at least 800 m of uplift has formed as a result of resurgent doming during past 33,000 years. Many small monogenetic volcanoes were formed around the uplifted block. Volcanism during the Holocene produced a series of pumiceous tephras, tuff rings, lava domes, and lava flows, and a major collapse of Mount Epomeo produced a large submarine debris-avalanche deposit. The latest eruption, in 1302 CE, produced a spatter cone and the Arso lava flow, which reached the NE coast.

References

The following references have all been used during the compilation of data for this volcano, it is not a comprehensive bibliography.

Acocella V, Funiciello R, 1999. The interaction between regional and local tectonics during resurgent doming: the case of the island of Ischia, Italy. J Volc Geotherm Res, 88: 109-123.

Brown R J, Orsi G, de Vita S, 2008. New insights into Late Pleistocene explosive volcanic activity and caldera formation on Ischia (southern Italy). Bull Volc, 70: 583-603.

Capaldi G, Civetta L, Gasparini P, 1976-77. Volcanic history of the island of Ischia (south Italy). Bull Volc, 40: 11-22.

Chiocci F L, de Alteriis G, 2006. The Ischia debris avalanche: first clear submarine evidence in the Mediterranean of a volcanic island prehistorical collapse. Terra Nova, 18: 202-209.

Imbo G, 1965. Italy. Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World and Solfatara Fields, Rome: IAVCEI, 18: 1-72.

Katsui Y (ed), 1971. List of the World Active Volcanoes. Volc Soc Japan draft ms, (limited circulation), 160 p.

Krafft M, 1974. Guide des Volcans d'Europe. Neuchatel: Delachaux & Niestle, 412 p.

Lucchi F, Tranne C A, De Astis G, Keller J, Losito R, Morche W, 2008. Stratigraphy and significance of Brown Tuffs on the Aeolian Islands (southern Italy). J Volc Geotherm Res, 177: 49-70.

Manzo M, Ricciardi G P, Casu F, Ventura G, Zeni G, Borgstrom S, Berardino P, Del Gaudio C, Lanzari R, 2006. Surface deformation analysis in the Ischia Island (Italy) based on spaceborne radar interferometry. J Volc Geotherm Res, 151: 399-416.

Molin P, Acocella V, Funiciello R, 2003. Structural, seismic and hydrothermal features at the border of an active intermittent resurgent block: Ischia Island (Italy). J Volc Geotherm Res, 121: 65-81.

Orsi G, Gallo G, Heiken G, Wohletz K, Yu E, Bonani G, 1992. A comprehensive study of pumice formation and dispersal: the Cretaio Tephra of Ischia (Italy). J Volc Geotherm Res, 53: 329-354.

Orsi G, Gallo G, Zanchi A, 1991. Simple-shearing block resurgence in caldera depressions. A model from Pantelleria and Ischia. J Volc Geotherm Res, 47: 1-11.

Orsi G, Piochi M, Campajola L, D'Onofrio A, Gialanella L, Terrasi F, 1996. 14C geochronological constraints for the volcanic history of the island of Ischia (Italy) over the last 5000 years. J Volc Geotherm Res, 71: 249-257.

Peccerillo A, 2005. Plio-Quaternary Volcanism in Italy. Berlin: Springer, 365 p.

Poli S, Chiesa S, Gillot P-Y, Gregnanin A, Guichard F, 1987. Chemistry versus time in the volcanic complex of Ischia (Gulf of Naples, Italy): evidence of successive magmatic cycles. Contr Mineral Petr, 95: 322-335.

Slejko F F, Petrini R, Orsi G, Piochi M, Forte C, 2004. Water speciation and Sr isotopic exchange during water--melt interaction: a combined NMR-TIMS study on the Cretaio Tephra (Ischia Island, south Italy). J Volc Geotherm Res, 133: 311-320.

Vezzoli L, 1986. Geologic Map of the Island of Ischia. CNR Progetto Finalizzato Geodinamica, Rome.

Vezzoli L, Principe C, Malfatti J, Arrighi S, Tanguy J-C, Le Goff M, 2009. Modes and times of caldera resurgence: the <10 ka evolution of ischia caldera, Italy, from high-precision archeomagnetic dating. J Volc Geotherm Res, 186: 305-319.

Eruptive History

Summary of Holocene eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

Start Date	Stop Date	Eruption Certainty	VEI	Evidence	Activity Area or Unit
1302 Jan 18	1302 Mar	Confirmed		Historical Observations	Arso
1290 (?)	Unknown	Confirmed		Radiocarbon (corrected)	FBT tephra
0820 ± 300 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Radiocarbon (corrected)	Near Arso, FiT tephra
0540 ± 150 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Radiocarbon (corrected)	Montagnone-Moschiata area, BCT tephra
0295 ± 10 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Historical Observations	Vateliero, Molara-Cava Nocelle, Rotaro
0145 (?)	Unknown	Confirmed		Historical Observations
0080 ± 1 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Historical Observations
[ 0069 ]	[ Unknown ]	Uncertain
0040 ± 75 years	Unknown	Confirmed	3	Radiocarbon (corrected)	Near Bosco della Maddalena, Cretaio Tephra
0006 BCE ± 20 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Historical Observations
0091 BCE	Unknown	Confirmed		Historical Observations
0200 BCE ± 200 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Magnetism	Ischia Porto (Spiaggia dei Pescatori)
0370 BCE ± 150 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Magnetism	Ischia Porto (San Pietro)
0470 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed		Historical Observations	Bosco dei Conti and Fondo Ferraro ?
0490 BCE ± 150 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Magnetism	Case Balestrieri?, Cava Nocelle?
0700 BCE ± 75 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Tephrochronology	Costa del Lenzuolo
0930 BCE ± 150 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Radiocarbon (corrected)	SE of Selva del Napolitano, CaT tephra
1480 BCE ± 300 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Magnetism	Castiglione
2350 BCE ± 1400 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Potassium-Argon	Costa Sparaina
2700 BCE ± 1750 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Tephrochronology	Punta della Cannuccia
3050 BCE ± 1000 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Potassium-Argon	Cantariello
3580 BCE ± 300 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Radiocarbon (corrected)	Submarine SE flank (Secca d'Ischia)
3880 BCE ± 200 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Magnetism	Zaro, Marecocco, Spiaggia degli Inglesi
7550 BCE ± 2400 years	Unknown	Confirmed		Potassium-Argon	Selva del Napolitano, Piedmonte

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Synonyms

Epomeo | Ischia, Isola dell'

Cones

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Arso

Cone

Bosco dei Conti

Cone

Bosco Della Maddalena

Stratovolcano

Cantariello

Cone

Cava Petrella

Cone

Ciglio

Cone

Cotto Barano, Mount

Cone

Cotto, Monte

Cone

Guardiola, La

Cone

Porto D'ischia

Vent

Punta Della Cannuccia

Cone

Punta La Scrofa

Cone

Scarrupo

Cone

Secca D'ischia

Cone

Craters

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Cafieri

Crater

Campagnano, Mount

Crater

Campotese

Crater

Cava Nocelle

Crater

Costa De Lenzuola

Crater

Fundera

Crater

Molara

Crater

Punta Imperatore

Crater

Rio Corbore

Crater

Santa Michele

Crater

Testaccio

Crater

Vateliero

Crater

Domes

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Castello D'ischia
Castle of Ischia

Dome

Castiglione

Dome

Costa Sparaina

Dome

Fondo Ferraro

Dome

Marecocco

Dome

Montagnone-Maschiata

Dome

Piedmonte

Dome

Posta Lubrano

Dome

Rotaro

Dome

Santa Angelo

Dome

Santa Pancrazio

Dome

Sant'angelo

Dome

Selva del Napolitano

Dome

Tabor, Monte

Dome

Trippodi, Monte

Dome

Vezzi, Monte di

Dome

Vico, Monte

Dome

Zara

Dome

Photo Gallery

The Ischia volcanic complex forms a 6 x 9 km island at the western side of the Bay of Naples. The tip of the island of Procida, ENE of Ischia, is visible at the left in this Space Shuttle image. Tectonism has influenced volcanic activity at Ischia, and its high point (the dark-colored area at the center of the island) is a volcanic horst composed of ignimbrite deposits associated with Pleistocene caldera formation. During the Holocene, a series of pumiceous tephras, tuff rings, lava domes, and lava flows were erupted.

NASA Space Shuttle image ISS002-E-8200, 2001 (http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/).

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 52 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections. Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number	Sample Description
NMNH 111123-1250	Trachyte
NMNH 111123-1251	Trachyte
NMNH 111123-1252	Trachyte
NMNH 111123-1253	Ciminite trachyte
NMNH 111123-927	Trachyte
NMNH 111123-938	Trachyte
NMNH 116568-488	Sodalite trachyte
NMNH 116568-489	Sodalite trachyte
NMNH 116568-494	Latite
NMNH 35857	Trachyte
NMNH 36282	Hyalo liparite
NMNH 36320	Sodalite trachyte
NMNH 36321	Trachyte
NMNH 36323	Trachyte
NMNH 36324	Sodalite trachyte
NMNH 36325	Trachyte
NMNH 36326	Trachyte with sodalite and szaboite (accessory)
NMNH 38336	Trachyte
NMNH 72994	Trachyte
NMNH 72995	Trachyte
NMNH 72995	Trachyte
NMNH 72996	Trachyte
NMNH 72997	Trachyte
NMNH 72998	Trachyte
NMNH 91993	Arsoite with albite (var. andesine) and olivine
NMNH 92000	Trachyte
NMNH 99129	Trachyte
NMNH 99130	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99131	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99132	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99133	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99134	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99135	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99136	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99137	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99138	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99139	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99140	Trachyte
NMNH 99141	Trachyte
NMNH 99142	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99143	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99144	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99145	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99146	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99147	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99148	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99149	Trachyte
NMNH 99150	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99151	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99152	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99153	Andesine basalt
NMNH 99154	Andesine basalt

Affiliated Sites

Large Eruptions of Ischia

Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA).

WOVOdat

WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

EarthChem

EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS).

MODVOLC - HIGP MODIS Thermal Alert System

Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales.

MIROVA

Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity.