SCIENCE – STROMBOLIAN ERUPTION

Several types of volcanic eruptions during which lava, tephra, and assorted gases are expelled

from a volcanic vent or fissure have been distinguished by volcanologists. These are often named

after famous volcanoes where that type of behavior has ben observed. Some volcanoes may

exhibit only one characteristics type of eruption during a period of activity, while others may

display an entire sequence of types all in one eruptive series.

As mentioned earlier there are several types of volcanic eruptions, in this morning we will be

discussing about one of the several types of volcanic eruptions which is, strombolian eruption.

Strombolian eruptions are characterized by the ejection of incandescent cinders, lapilli, and

volcanic bombs to heights of a few tens to several hundreds of meters. The eruptions are

sporadic, small to medium in size, and violent. The Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is a

relative measure of the explosiveness of volcanic eruptions that was devised by Christopher G.

Newhall of the United States Geological Survey and Stephen Self in 1982. The VEI of a

Strombolian eruption is typically between 1 and 2.11. This type of eruption is named for the

Italian volcano Stromboli.

Normally, the tephra glows red as it exits the vent, but as it cools, it turns dark to black and may

drastically solidify before contact. Tephra builds up in the area around the vent, creating a cinder

cone. The most prevalent product is cinder, and volcanic ash is usually only a minor component.

Tephra is a fragmental material produced by a volcanic eruption regardless of composition,

fragment size or emplacement mechanism. Also referred to as pyroclasms (airborne), and

pyroclastic flows (on ground) and rocks. Tephra can stay in the stratosphere for days to weeks

following an eruption.

In comparison to the equivalent Hawaiian eruptions, the lava flow of a strombolian eruptions are

thicker, shorter, and more viscous, pyroclastic rock formation may or may not be present.

As an alternative, the gas condenses into gas slugs, which are bubbles big enough to climb along

the magma column before exploding near the top due to a drop in pressure and ejecting magma

into the air. Volcanic gases are thus released during each occurrence, sometimes just a few

minutes apart. Gas slugs are unpredictable since they can form up to 3 kilometers deep.

Because the conduit system is not significantly impacted by strombolian eruptions, the eruptive

system can continually reset itself, resulting in extraordinarily long-lasting eruptions.

Why strombolian eruption happened?

This is caused by the vesiculation of the lava at the vent.

How can we identify a strombolian eruption at a volcano?

Short-lived explosive eruptions known as strombolian eruptions send thick, pasty lava into the

air along with bursts of steam and gas. Lava output from strombolian eruptions is typically

negligible. As a result, the cones created by this type of eruption have very steep sides.
Typically, monogenetic cones erupt in a Strombolian style. Some example of a strombolian

eruptions in a volcanoes are:

The second-highest volcano in Antarctica, Mount Erebus is also the highest active volcano there

and the southernmost volcano on Earth. It is the continent's sixth-highest extreme mountain. Its

most recent eruption occurred in 2020. Mount Erebus has been producing Strombolian eruptions

for at least many decades.

One of Italy's four active volcanoes, Mount Stromboli, is located on the island of Stromboli in

the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Sicily. A volcanic arc north of Sicily contains eight islands

known as the Aeolian Islands. According to Strabo, this was thought to be Aeolus's home. The

island is known as the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean" because of the frequent mild eruptions

of the volcano, which are frequently visible from several locations on the island and from the

surrounding sea. Stromboli itself has been producing Strombolian eruptions for more than two

thousand years. Mount Stromboli has been in almost continuous eruption for the past 2,000–

5,000 years, its last serious one occurred in 1921.

Parícutin is a cinder cone volcano located in the Mexican state of Michoacán, near the city of

Uruapan and about 322 kilometers west of Mexico City. The volcano surged suddenly from the

cornfield of local farmer Dionisio Pulido in 1943, attracting both popular and scientific attention.

Its last eruption was occurred in 1952.

The Strombolian eruptions, which started five months after on January 31, 1968, produced the

first historical lava fountaining witnessed from Taal. Another Strombolian eruption followed a

year later on October 29, 1969.

And that is all for today, thank you for listening. However, before we end with we have some

questions we would like you to answer.

1) This type of eruption is named for the Italian volcano Stromboli.

(Strombolian eruption)

2) How does strombolian eruption occur?

( When the gas condenses into gas slugs, which are bubbles big enough to climb along

the magma column before exploding near the top due to a drop in pressure and ejecting

magma into the air)

3) Why strombolian eruption happened?

(This is caused by the vesiculation of the lava at the vent)

4) How can we identify a strombolian eruption at a volcano?

(The cones created by this type of eruption has very steep sides or what we all know as

cinder cone volcanoes)

5) Give 2 examples of a strombolian eruptions in a volcanoes.

(Mount Erebus, Mount Stromboli, Parícutin volcano and Taal volcano)