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Off the southern coast of Italy, the largest active volcano in Europe lies hidden beneath the waves. Now scientists are mapping what would happen if it erupted.
When we think of Italy’s volcanoes, we may assume that Etna, which overshadows Sicily, and Vesuvius, which famously destroyed Pompei, present the biggest danger to the peninsula’s population and tourists. Yet there is another monster that could wreak havoc to the southern peninsula and its islands.
Its name is Marsili, and it is located around 175km (110 miles) south of Naples. With a height of 3,000m (9,800ft), and a base 70km long by 30km wide (43 by 19 miles), Marsili is a true giant. It is the largest active volcano in the whole of Europe. You won’t ever see it, however, since its peak is 500m (1,640ft) under water, in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Scientists have known of Marsili’s existence for a century, but it is only within the last decade that they have started to investigate the dangers that Marsili might pose – and their findings are concerning. According to some recent models, its activity could potentially trigger an enormous tsunami, with a 30m-high (98ft) wave hitting Calabrian and Sicilian coasts. (BBC)
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- ActiveJorge Máximo HeitorWorse still, there would be next-to-no warning that the disaster was imminent – a fact that is leading some scientists to call for new technology to monitor the Mediterranean’s movements.In terms of sheer size, Marsili cannot compete with Tamu Massif,…See more
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- ActiveJorge Máximo HeitorIn the worst-case scenario, a 20m-high (66ft) wave could crash into Sicily and Calabria within 20 minutes of a landslide.It is just one of many volcanos in an arc off the south coast of Sicily and the east coast of southern Italy. Some of these have f…See more
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