About Lipari
Lipari is a stratovolcano(es) rising to 590 meters (1,936 feet) in Italy's European Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1230 CE. The volcano has produced 3 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Lipari is located in Italy, within the Aeolian Volcanic Arc of the broader European Volcanic Regions. Situated at 38.49° N, 14.93° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 590 meters above sea level, Lipari is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Lipari sits in a subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating intense heat and pressure that generates magma. Subduction zones are responsible for many of the world's most explosive volcanoes and deadliest eruptions. For communities in Italy near Lipari, this tectonic setting means the volcano is capable of producing powerful explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars that can threaten populated areas within tens of kilometers of the summit. The dominant rock type is rhyolite, a silica-rich volcanic rock associated with highly viscous magma. Rhyolitic eruptions can be extremely explosive and are responsible for some of the largest volcanic events in Earth's history, including supervolcanic caldera-forming eruptions. The high silica content traps dissolved gases, building enormous pressure that can lead to catastrophic explosive releases.
Eruption History Summary
Lipari has 3 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 5820 BCE to 1230 CE. These eruptions span roughly 7,050 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands, is located immediately north of Vulcano Island. The irregular-shaped island contains numerous small stratovolcanoes, craters, and lava domes on a basement of submarine volcanic deposits. Lipari was formed in three major eruptive cycles, the first of which took place from about 223 to 188 thousand years ago (ka) from N-S-trending fissures on the western side of the island. The second eruptive period from about 102 to 53 ka included the formation of the Monte San Angelo and Costa d'Agosto stratovolcanoes in the center of the island. The third eruptive cycle (40 ka to the present) included the Monte Guardia sequence, erupted at the southern tip of the island between about 22,600 and 16,800 years ago, and Holocene rhyolitic pyroclastic deposits and obsidian lava flows at the NE end of the island. The latest eruption, at Monte Pilato on the NE tip of the island, formed the Rocche Rosse and Forgia Vecchia obsidian lava flows, which have been dated variously from about 500 to 1230 CE. Objects made of obsidian from Lipari have been found throughout southern Italy.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
3 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1230 | — | Confirmed Eruption | Pelato (Forgia Vecchia, Rocche Rossi) |
| 780 | — | Confirmed Eruption | Monte Pelato |
| 5820 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Gabellotto-Fiumebianco |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Lipari
Is Lipari an active volcano?+
Lipari is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 1230 CE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Lipari last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Lipari occurred in 1230 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Lipari has 3 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Lipari?+
Lipari has a summit elevation of 590 meters (1,936 feet) above sea level. At 590 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Lipari?+
Lipari is classified as a Stratovolcano(es). Stratovolcano(es) volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Lipari located?+
Lipari is located in Italy, in the European Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Aeolian Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 38.490° latitude, 14.933° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Lipari?+
Lipari can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Italy may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
