Roccamonfina (volcano)
The Ciampate del Diavolo are a series of hominid footprints in solidified ash from an eruption of the volcano 345,000 years ago.
Geology
The volcano originated as a stratovolcano in the Garigliano rift valley, with a group of eruptive mouths spread in a 1,000 km (386 sq mi) area; later an effusive activity concentrated in the central area, forming a volcanic cone some 1,800 m-high, mostly formed of tephra and accompanied by minor cones such as the Monte Ofelio at south-west. Some 400,000 years ago, the collapse of the volcano's eastern sector formed a caldera which, for some time, was occupied by a volcanic lake.
A second period of volcanic activity began some 385,000 years ago with an explosive eruption, including eruptions from the former caldera. This phase continued until some 285,000 years ago. The formation of the volcano also modified the course of the Garigliano and Volturno rivers. The Volturno moved southwest in what is its current course; the Garigliano no longer reached the sea, and formed a lake (Lake Lirino) until (around 200,000 years ago) it eroded rocks near Suio and assumed the current course.
References
- ^ Rouchon, V.; Gillot, P.Y.; Quidelleur, X.; Chiesa, S.; Floris, B. (October 2008). "Temporal evolution of the Roccamonfina volcanic complex (Pleistocene), Central Italy". Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. 177 (2): 500–514. Bibcode:2008JVGR..177..500R. doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2008.07.016.
- "Roccamonfina". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2021-06-25.