Vulcano - Extinct Volcanoes

The bulk of Vulcano is taken up by the volcanoes Gran Cratere (391m/1,283ft high), Monte Saraceno (481m/1,579ft) and Monte Aria (499m/1,638ft). While the two last-named became extinct early on, Gran Cratere erupted in 1889-90. Today it is at the solfatara stage, and in the Piano della Grande Fumarole on its southern slope in particular there are hot sulfur vapors and clouds. Since prospectors have drilled here for natural gas since 1950 there has been a continuous hissing jet of vapor issuing from the pumps. Between Gran Cratere and Monte Aria in the east and Monte Saraceno in the west stretches a green plain slashed by deep valleys and with fresh-water springs.