Strombolicchio
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Strombolicchio | |
|---|---|
 Strombolicchio with its lighthouse | |
  Strombolicchio Location in Italy | |
| Coordinates: 38°49′2″N 15°15′7″E / 38.81722°N 15.25194°E | |
| Country |  Italy |
| Province | Messina |
| Comune | Lipari |
| Population | |
• Total | 0 |
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Strombolicchio (Italian pronunciation: [stromboˈlikkjo][1]) is a sea stack of volcanic origin 2 km (1.2 mi) to the northeast of the island of Stromboli in the Aeolian Islands of Italy. Its name in the Sicilian language, Struognulicchiu, means Little Stromboli. Geologically, Strombolicchio is a volcanic plug or spine of extremely hard compacted basalt resistant to erosion, and is the remnant of the original volcano from which the island of Stromboli was built up about 200,000 years ago. The small islet hosts rare flora and fauna, including endangered species, and has been declared a natural reserve with severe restrictions on access.
Geologically, Strombolicchio is a volcanic plug or spine of extremely hard compacted basalt resistant to erosion, and is the remnant of the original volcano from which the island of Stromboli was built up. Eruptions at this site ceased approximately 200,000 years ago. Since then the volcanic activity has moved about 3 km (1.9 mi) to the southwest. It is the only remnant above sea level of an otherwise submarine platform that extends between it and the main island.[2]
Bathymetric and side-scan sonar surveys show that Strombolicchio rises from a narrow volcanic ridge that deflects and channels gravity-driven density currents generated in the nearby Sciara del Fuoco and Piscità canyons. Between 2,200 m and 2,300 m below sea level, intact pillow lava outcrops at the ridge-crest attest to relatively unmodified submarine flow sheets, marking the submerged "neck" upon which the sea stack stands.[3]
