Preliminary analysis of instability phenomena at Vulcano Island, Italy

Volcanic activity in the island of Vulcano is concentrated in the area of La Fossa cone, whose NE sector is affected by deep-seated deformations and shallow failures along bedding planes. Quantitative data from laboratory investigations, borehole core logging and in-situ surveys were used for the analysis of instability phenomena and to assess their relationship with volcanic activity. The influence of the marine erosion along the sides of the NE sector on the state of stress and deformation of the volcanic edifice was evaluated by means of 3D numerical analyses based on the geological and geomechanical investigations.