Empedocles (volcano)

Empedocles

Empedocles is composed of several volcanic centers, including Ferdinandea.
Summit depth 8 m (26 ft)
Summit area Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia (Phlegraean Fields of the Sea of Sicily)[1]
Translation Name of a Greek philosopher(Ancient Greek)
Location
Location Between Sicily and Tunisia
Coordinates 37°9′49″N, 12°43′7″E
Country Disputed, assumed Italy
Geology
Type Submarine volcano
Last eruption 1831
History
Discovery date 2006

Empedocles is a large underwater volcano located 40 km off the southern coast of Sicily named after the Greek philosopher Empedocles who believed that everything on Earth was made up of the four elements.

According to Giovanni Lanzafame, of Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the volcanic structure is around 400 meters high, with a base 30 km long and 25 km wide. Located in the Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia (Phlegraean Fields of the Strait of Sicily), Empedocles is composed of what was once believed to be separate volcanic centers, including Graham Island.[2][3]

The volcano shows no sign of erupting in the near future. While the volcano's top is now 7 meters below sea level, it was once visible above the water. In 1831 Empedocles broke the surface as Fernandinea Island and almost caused a major international incident when several countries tried to claim ownership of it. It disappeared into the water again five months later.[4]

In 1986, American planes taking part in Operation El Dorado Canyon attacked Empedocles, believing it to be a Libyan submarine.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Coinage article describing island significance First paragraph, second line. Accessed February 11th, 2009
  2. ↑ Volcano larger than Washington D.C. discovered, CNN
  3. ↑ Scientists discover huge underwater volcano, The Independent Online
  4. ↑ Massive underwater volcano found, CBBC Newsround (published and accessed on June 23, 2006).
  5. ↑ Ephemeral Islands, New York Times

Coordinates: 37°09′49″N 12°43′07″E / 37.16361°N 12.71861°E