Global Volcanism Program

The Global Volcanism Program has no activity reports available for Colli Albani.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Colli Albani.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Colli Albani.

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

211004

Unknown - Evidence Uncertain

949 m / 3,114 ft

41.7569°N
12.7251°E

Morphology

Volcano Landform
Caldera

Volcano Types
Caldera
Stratovolcano
Pyroclastic cone(s)
Maar(s)

Rock Types

Major
Foidite
Phono-tephrite / Tephri-phonolite

Minor
Trachybasalt / Tephrite Basanite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Continental crust (> 25 km)

Population

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

897,039
897,039
2,962,194
5,330,273

Geological Summary

The Colli Albani (Alban Hills) complex immediately SE of Rome contains a large Pleistocene stratovolcano with a 10 x 12 km caldera formed during an eruptive period with six major explosions that produced at least 280 km³ of ejecta between about 560,000 and 350,000 years ago. Subsequent eruptions occurred from a new 5-km-wide central cone and from many phreatomagmatic craters and cones within the Artemisio-Tuscolana caldera and on its outer flanks. The post-caldera eruptions have buried the western side of the caldera rim. The largest of the post-caldera craters is Lake Albano, a 2.5 x 4 km compound maar constructed at the WSW margin of the caldera in multiple stages dating back to about 69,000 years ago. The age of the most recent eruptions from the Albano maar is not known precisely; variable dates range from about 36,000 years ago to perhaps the Holocene, when several possibly non-volcanic lake overflow lahars occurred. Reported eruptions during the Roman period are uncertain, but subsequent seismic swarms lasting up to two years have been recorded.

References

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

Amato A, Chiarabba C, Cocco M, di Bona M, Selvaggi G, 1994. The 1989-1990 seismic swarm in the Alban Hills volcanic area, central Italy. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 61: 225-237.

Anzidei M, Baldi P, Casula G, Galvani A, Riguzzi F, Zanutta A, 1998. Evidence of active crustal deformation of the Colli Albani volcanic area (central Italy) by GPS surveys. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 80: 55-65.

Anzidei M, Carapezza M L, Esposito A, Giordano G, Lelli M, Tarchini L, 2008. The Albano Maar Lake high resolution bathymetry and dissolved CO budget (Colli Albani volcano, Italy): constraints to hazard evaluation. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 171: 258-268.

Blanc A C, 1953. Excursion au Mont Circe. Internatl Quat Assoc (INQUA) Guidebook, p 5-19.

Boari E, Avanzinelli R, Melluso L, Giordano G, Mattei M, De Benedetti A A, Morra V, Conticelli S, 2009. Isotope geochemistry (Sr-Nd-Pb) and petrogenesis of leucite-bearing volcanic rocks from "Colli Albani" volcano, Roman Magmatic Province, Central Italy: inferences on volcano evolution and magma genesis. Bull Volcanol, 71: 977-1005. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-009-0278-6

Chiarabba C, Amato A, Delaney P T, 1997. Crustal structure, evolution, and volcanic unrest of the Alban Hills, central Italy. Bull Volcanol, 59: 161-170.

De Benedetti A A, Funiciello R, Giodano G, Diano G, Caprilli E, Paterne M, 2008. Volcanology, history and myths of the Lake Albano maar (Colli Albani volcano, Italy). J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 176: 387-406.

De Rita D, Funiciello R, Rosa C, 1991. Volcanic activity and drainage network evolution of the Alban Hills area (Rome, Italy). Acta Vulc, 2: 185-198.

De Rita D, Giordano G, Esposito A, Fabbri M, Rodani S, 2002. Large volume phreatomagmatic ignimbrites from the Colli Albani volcano (Middle Pleistocene, Italy). J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 118: 77-98.

Freda C, Gaeta M, Karner D B, Marra F, Renne P R, Taddeucci J, Scarlato P, Christensen J N, Dallai L, 2006. Eruptive history and petrologic evolution of the Albano multiple maar (Alban Hills, Central Italy). Bull Volcanol, 68: 567-591.

Freda C, Gaeta M, Palladino D M, Trigila R, 1997. The Villa Senni eruption (Alban Hills, central Italy: the role of H20 and CO2 on the magma chamber evolution and on the eruptive scenario. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 78: 103-120.

Funiciello R, Giodano G, De Rita D, 2003. The Albano maar lake (Colli Albani volcano, Italy): recent volcanic activity and evidence of pre-Roman age catastrophic lahar events. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 123: 43-61.

Giaccio B, Marra F, Hajdas I, Karner D B, Renne P R, Sposato A, 2009. 40Ar/39Ar and 14C geochronology of the Albano maar deposits: implications for defining the age and eruptive style of the most recent explosive activity at Colli Albani volcanic district, Central Italy. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 185: 203-213.

Giordano G, De Benedetti A A, Diana A, Diano G, Gaudioso F, Marasco F, Miceli M, Mollo S, Cas R A F, Funiciello R, 2006. The Colli Albani mafic caldera (Roma, Italy): stratigraphy, structure and petrology. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 155: 49-80.

Giordano G, De Rita D, Cas R, Rodani S, 2002. Valley pond and ignimbrite veneer deposits in the small-volume phreatomagmatic `Peperino Albano' basic ignimbrite, Lago Albano maar, Colli Albani volcano, Italy: influence of topography. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 118: 131-144.

IAVCEI, 1973-80. Post-Miocene Volcanoes of the World. IAVCEI Data Sheets, Rome: Internatl Assoc Volc Chemistry Earth's Interior.

Karner D B, Marra F, Renne P R, 2001. The history of the Monti Sabatini and Alban Hills volcanoes: groundwork for assessing volcanic-tectonic hazards for Rome. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 107: 185-219.

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

Krafft M, Dominique de Larouziere F, 1991. Guide des Volcans d'Europe et des Canaries. Lausanne, Switzerland: Delachaux and Niestle, 455 p.

Marra F, Freda C, Scarlato P, Taddeucci J, Karner D B, Renne P R, Gaeta M, Palladino D M, Trigila R, Cavarretta G, 2003. Post-caldera activity in the Alban Hills volcanic district (Italy): 40Ar/39Ar geochronology and insights into magma evolution. Bull Volcanol, 65: 227-247.

Marra F, Karner D B, Freda C, Gaeta M, Renne P, 2009. Large mafic eruptions at Alban Hills volcanic district (Central Italy): chronostratigraphy, petrography and eruptive behavior. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 179: 217-232.

Newhall C G, Dzurisin D, 1988. Historical unrest at large calderas of the world. U S Geol Surv Bull, 1855: 1108 p, 2 vol.

Palladino D M, Gaeta M, Marra F, 2001. A large K-foiditic hydromagmatic eruption from the early activity of the Alban Hills volcanic district, Italy. Bull Volcanol, 63: 345-359.

Peccerillo A, Poli G, Tolomeo L, 1984. Genesis, evolution and tectonic significance of K-rich volcanics from the Alban Hills (Roman comagmatic region) as inferred from trace element geochemistry. Contr Mineral Petr, 86: 230-240.

Porreca M, Mattei M, MacNiocaill C, Giordano G, McClelland E, Funiciello R, 2008. Palemagnetic evidence for low-temperature emplacement of the phreatomagmatic Peperino Albano ignimbrite (Colli Albani volcano, Central Italy). Bull Volcanol, 70: 877-893.

Scandone R, 1987. (pers. comm.).

Stothers R B, Rampino M R, 1983. Volcanic eruptions in the Mediterranean before AD 630 from written and archaeological sources. J. Geophys. Res, 88: 6357-6371. https://doi.org/10.1029/JB088iB08p06357

Villa I M, Calanchi N, Dinelli E, Lucchini F, 1999. Age and evolution of the Albano crater lake (Roman Volcanic Province). Acta Vulc, 11: 305-310.

Watkins S D, Giordano G, Cas R A F, De Rita D , 2002. Emplacement processes of the mafic Villa Senni Eruption Unit (VSEU) ignimbrite succession, Colli Albani volcano, Italy. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 118: 173-203.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 0 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

[ 0114 BCE ] Discredited Eruption

Livius reported ashfall around Rome from Albano (Krafft, 1974); Monte Albano was reported to be on fire at night in 113 BCE (probably same as 114 BCE event in other sources), but this event could have been a forest fire and the volcano was considered to have been extinct prior to 640 BCE (Stothers and Rampino, 1983).

[ 0540 BCE (?) ] Discredited Eruption

Livius reported ashfall around Rome from Albano (Krafft, 1974); the "rain of stones" from Albano reported in 640 BCE (some sources give 540 BCE date) was probably not volcanic in origin and may actually have been large hailstones. Similar events were reported in 257 and 212 BCE (Stothers and Rampino, 1983).

[ 0600 BCE ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Ariccia crater

0600 BCE - Unknown

Evidence from Unknown

Roman accounts noted the ejection of stones from Ariccia crater; this was considered an uncertain phreatic eruption by De Benedetti et al. (2008).

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Ariccia crater

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity	Uncertain

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

Cones

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Cavo, Mount

Pyroclastic cone

949 m

Colle Iano

Pyroclastic cone

Competri, Monte

Cone

Faete, Monte della

Stratovolcano

Rocca de Papa

Cone

Tuscolano-Artemisio

Stratovolcano

Craters

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Albano
Castelgandolfo

Maar

Ariccia

Maar

Castiglione
Gabii

Crater

Ciampino

Crater

Frascati

Crater

Giuturna

Crater

Laghetto

Maar

Marciana, Valle

Maar

Nemi

Maar

Pantano Secco

Maar

Prata Porci

Maar

Tuscolana-Artemisio
Artemisio-Tuscolana

Pleistocene caldera

Vulcano Laziale

Pleistocene caldera

Photo Gallery

The lake-filled Albano maar is part of the Alban Hills (Monte Albano) complex immediately SE of Rome. The Cavo scoria cone rises beyond the far rim. The Monte Albano complex contains a large Pleistocene stratovolcano with a 10-km-wide caldera. Subsequent eruptions occurred from a 5-km-wide central cone as well as craters and cones within the caldera and on its outer flanks. The youngest known magmatic eruption occurred during the late-Pleistocene.

Photo by Ichio Moriya (Kanazawa University).

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 13 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number	Sample Description	Lava Source	Collection Date
NMNH 111123-1258	Leucitite	Albano, Monte	--
NMNH 111123-929	Leucitite	Albano, Monte	--
NMNH 111123-930	Leucitite	Albano, Monte	--
NMNH 111123-941	Leucite Tephrite	Albano, Monte	--
NMNH 92002-1	Igneous Rock	Albano, Monte	--
NMNH 92002-2	Igneous Rock	Albano, Monte	--
NMNH 92002-3	Igneous Rock	Albano, Monte	--
NMNH 92002-4	Igneous Rock	Albano, Monte	--
NMNH 92002-5	Igneous Rock	Albano, Monte	--
NMNH 92002-6	Igneous Rock	Albano, Monte	--
NMNH 92002-7	Igneous Rock	Albano, Monte	--
NMNH 92002-8	Igneous Rock	Albano, Monte	--
NMNH 92002-9	Igneous Rock	Albano, Monte	--

External Sites

Copernicus Browser

The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions.

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.

MODVOLC Thermal Alerts

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.

WOVOdat
   Single Volcano View
   Temporal Evolution of Unrest
   Side by Side Volcanoes

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.

GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments.

Volcanic Hazard Maps

The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter.

IRIS seismic stations/networks

Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Colli Albani. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice.

UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations

Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Colli Albani. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player.

DECADE Data

The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO₂ to the atmosphere, but installing CO₂ monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere.

Large Eruptions of Colli Albani

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).

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).