Vulcanian eruption

They usually commence with phreatomagmatic eruptions which can be extremely noisy due to the rising magma heating water in the ground.

The term Vulcanian was first used by Giuseppe Mercalli, witnessing the 1888–1890 eruptions on the island of Vulcano.

The mass of rock ejected during the eruption is usually between 102 and 106 tonnes[1] and contains a high proportion of non-juvenile material (> 50%).

[2][3] The gas streaming phase of Vulcanian eruptions are characterised by discrete cannon-like explosions.

[4] These expulsions of gas can reach supersonic velocities resulting in shock waves.

Vulcanian eruptions are dangerous to persons within several hundred metres of the vent.

At the same time incandescent scoria flowed down the Vallonazzo Valley and entered the sea near Piscità.

Vulcanian eruption: 1 ash plume, 2 lapilli, 3 lava fountain, 4 volcanic ash fall, 5 volcanic bomb, 6 lava flow, 7 layers of lava and ash, 8 stratum, 9 sill, 10 magma conduit, 11 magma chamber, 12 dike
The Gran Cratere, Vulcano . A sense of scale is provided by the tourist visible near the centre of the crater.