| Vulsini | |
| Elevation M: | 800 |
| Location: | Lazio, Italy |
| Coordinates: | 42.6°N 67°W |
| Type: | Caldera complex |
| Volcanic Arc/Belt: | Campanian volcanic arc |
| Last Eruption: | Pleistocene |
| Easiest Route: | walk |
Vulsini, also known as Volsini volcano, Vulsini Volcanic District, Vulsini Volcanic Complex and the Vulsinian District, is a circular region of intrusive igneous rock in Lazio, Italy, about 87km (54miles) to the north northwest of Rome, containing a cluster of calderas known to have been active in recent geologic times. The Vulsinian region is one of dozens of intrusive circular regions, most smaller than the Vulsinian, arranged in a band from Campania through Lazio, called the Roman Comagmatic Province. A comagmatic province is a geologic area of the same type and age igneous rock deriving from the same crustal magma. The Roman region is post-collisional; that is, the intrusions were not a result of the lateral stresses that created Italy and raised the Apennines, but were subsequent to Italy's creation. The Volsinian is the northernmost region.
At relatively low altitude, the Vulsini calderas cover about 22800NaN0 and contain four Pleistocene-age depressions known as Bolsena, Latera, Vepe and Montefiascone calderas. An alleged eruption occurred in 104 BC, but it is currently considered a misinterpretation of the description of a fire, and the most recent confirmed activity occurred in Pleistocene.[1] The largest, the Bolsena caldera, which is roughly 16km (10miles) across, is filled with the waters of Lake Bolsena, which derive mainly from deep aquifers. Immediately to the northwest are the combined Latera and Vepe calderas, about 8km (05miles) by 11km (07miles). Vepe, to the north of Lake Mezzano (a very small crater lake west of Lake Bolsena) is what is known as a nested caldera; it arose in the previously existing Latera Caldera. Italian routes SS74 and SS312 follow the rim from Valentano through Latera westward, turning off before Mezzano on the other side. In addition the small Montefiascone caldera, also nested, lies between Montefiascone on its eastern rim and the lake. Two islands in the lake, Bisentina and Martana, were formed from airfall tuffs in Pompeii-like eruptions. Dozens of other tuff cones dot the region, mainly on the eastern side of the complex.[2] [3]
The Italian Civil Protection Department considers Vulsini as extinct.[4]
The following tuff cones stand out in the region:[5]