Global Volcanism Program

The Global Volcanism Program has no activity reports available for Pantelleria.

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

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

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

211071

1891 CE

836 m / 2,743 ft

36.77°N
12.02°E

Morphology

Volcano Landform
Shield

Volcano Types
Shield
Caldera
Lava dome(s)
Pyroclastic cone(s)

Rock Types

Major
Rhyolite
Trachyte / Trachydacite
Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Trachybasalt / Tephrite Basanite

Minor
Trachyandesite / Basaltic Trachyandesite

Tectonic Setting

Rift zone
Continental crust (> 25 km)

Population

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

6,561
10,985
12,403
142,817

Geological Summary

The island of Pantelleria is constructed above a drowned continental rift in the Strait of Sicily and has been the locus of intensive volcano-tectonic activity. Two large Pleistocene calderas dominate the island, which contains numerous post-caldera lava domes and cinder cones and is the type locality for peralkaline rhyolitic rocks, pantellerites. The 15-km-long island is the emergent summit of a largely submarine edifice. The 6-km-wide Cinque Denti caldera, the youngest of the two calderas, formed about 45,000 years ago and contains the two post-caldera shield volcanoes of Monte Grande and Monte Gibele. Holocene eruptions have constructed pumice cones, lava domes, and short, blocky lava flows. Many Holocene vents are located on three sides of the uplifted Montagna Grande block on the SE side of the island. A submarine eruption in 1891 from a vent ~4 km off the NW coast is the only confirmed historical activity.

References

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

Berrino G, 1997. Gravity changes and present-day dynamics of the island of Pantelleria (Sicily Channel--Italy). J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 78: 289-296.

Civetta L, Cornette Y, Gillot P Y, Orsi G, 1988. The eruptive history of Pantelleria (Sicily Channel) in the last 50 ka. Bull Volcanol, 50: 47-57.

Cornette Y, Crisci G M, Gillot P Y, Orsi G, 1983. Recent volcanic history of Pantelleria: a new interpretation. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 17: 361-374.

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

Mahood G A, Hildreth W, 1986. Geology of the peralkaline volcano at Pantelleria, Strait of Sicily. Bull Volcanol, 48: 143-172.

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

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

Prosperini N, Perugini D, Poli G, Manetti P, 2000. Magmatic enclaves within the Khaggiar lava dome (Pantelleria, Italy): implications for magma chamber dynamics and eruption. Acta Vulc, 12: 37-47.

Speranza F, Landi P, D'Ajello Caracciolo F, Pignatelli A, 2010. Paleomagnetic dating of the most recent silicic eruptive activity at Pantelleria (Strait of Sicily). Bull Volcanol, 72: 847-858. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-010-0368-5

Squarci P, Gianelli G, Grassi S, Mussi M, D'Amore G, 1994. Preliminary results of geothermal prospecting on the island of Pantelleria (Italy). Acta Vulc, 5: 117-123.

Stevenson R J, Wilson L, 1997. Physical volcanology and eruption dynamics of peralkaline agglutinates from Panterlleria. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 79: 97-122.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 7 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

[ 1891 Dec ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 \| Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)				South of Pantelleria
1891 Dec - Unknown				Evidence from Unknown

1891 Oct 17 - 1891 Oct 25 Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Foerstner (4 km NNW of Pantelleria)

1891 Oct 17 - 1891 Oct 25

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Foerstner (4 km NNW of Pantelleria)

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
	1891 Oct 17	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1831 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 \| Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)				Off the northern coast
1831 - Unknown				Evidence from Unknown

1080 BCE ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Hingeline vent system

1080 BCE ± 300 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Hingeline vent system

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
	- - - -	- - - -	Pumice

4430 BCE ± 200 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Cuddia Randazzo

4430 BCE ± 200 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Cuddia Randazzo

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow	Entered water.
- - - -	- - - -	Lava dome
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice

4550 BCE ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Serra della Fastuca

4550 BCE ± 300 years - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Magnetism

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Serra della Fastuca

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
	- - - -	- - - -	Scoria

5610 BCE ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Punta Tracino

5610 BCE ± 100 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Punta Tracino

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
	- - - -	- - - -	Pumice

6130 BCE ± 75 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Cuddia Patite ?

6130 BCE ± 75 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Cuddia Patite ?

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
	- - - -	- - - -	Pumice

7050 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Cuddia di Mida, Valenza

7050 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: K/Ar

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Cuddia di Mida, Valenza

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Tephra

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.

Cones

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Acropoli

Cone

Almonza

Vent

Attalora, Cuddia

Cone

Bellizzi, Cuddie

Vent

Bonsulton, Cuddie

Vent

Bruciata, Cuddia

Cone

Cala dell'Alca

Cone

Cala dell'Altura

Shield volcano

Cala di Tramontana

Cone

Contrada Caffefi, Cuddioli Di

Vent

Dietro Isola, Cuddioli di

Shield volcano

Ferle

Cone

Gadir, Cuddia del

Shield volcano

Gallo

Vent

Gelfiser, Monte

Cone

Gelkhamar, Monte

Cone

Glindo

Vent

Katt, Cuddia del

Cone

Khamma, Cuddia

Shield volcano

Khartibucale

Cone

Maccotta, Cuddia

Shield volcano

Mida, Cuddia

Vent

Monastero

Shield volcano

Monte, Cuddia del

Cone

Moro, Cuddia del

Shield volcano

Mueggen, Cuddia

Shield volcano

Patite, Cuddie

Shield volcano

Punta del'Arco

Vent

Punta Tracino

Vent

Randazzo, Cuddia

Cone

Rosse, Cuddie

Cone

San Vito

Vent

Sant'Elmo, Monte

Cone

Scauri, Cuddia di

Shield volcano

Sciuvechi, Cuddia

Shield volcano

Stufe di Kazen

Cone

Valletta, Cuddia

Shield volcano

Craters

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Cinque Denti
Monastero

Pleistocene caldera

Foerstner

Submarine crater

36° 48' 0.00" N

11° 54' 0.00" E

Vecchia, La

Pleistocene caldera

Domes

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Fossa Carbonara

Dome

Fossa del Russo

Dome

Gallo, Cuddia del

Dome

Gibille, Monti

Dome

Khaggiar

Dome

Thermal

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Favare

Thermal

Gibele, Monte

Thermal

Passo del Vento

Thermal

Photo Gallery

The 15-km-long island of Pantelleria is constructed above a drowned continental rift in the Strait of Sicily. Part of the mostly buried arcuate rims of two large Pleistocene calderas are seen in this NASA Landsat image (with N to the top). The SE rims of the calderas form the two dark-colored lines at the lower right part of the island, below and to the right of the forested Monte Grande and Monte Gibele volcanoes. Monte Gibele, with its circular summit crater, was constructed in the southern part of the younger Cinque Denti caldera.

NASA Landsat 7 image (worldwind.arc.nasa.gov)

Pantelleria is a volcanic island 95 km west of Sicily and is composed of scoria cones, lava domes, lava flows, explosive eruption deposits, and calderas, with the Cinque Denti caldera rim visible in the right side of this 2019 satellite image (N is to the top). The 330 x 360 m crater near the center is within the summit of Monte Gibele, and lava flows with visible flow levees form the flanks. Montagne Grande is to the west (left) of the crater.

Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs Inc., 2019 (https://www.planet.com/).

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 1 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 117585-4	Ash	--	--

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 Pantelleria. 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 Pantelleria. 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 Pantelleria

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).