Early warning system for Stromboli

Only emergency services staff are left on the island

Italian scientists are putting in place a system that will give early warning of a major new eruption on the volcanic island of Stromboli.

The island was evacuated at the end of December after the volcano blew part of its cone into the sea, causing a tidal wave.

Six people were hurt, and houses and boats were damaged.

Although the volcano continues to spew lava from five openings, emergency services are placing thermal cameras on its slopes, and at least one wave-measuring buoy in the sea.

Solidified lava

Any major eruption or irregular wave activity will be communicated to nearby islands and coastal areas of Calabria in southern Italy by satellite.

Within 10 minutes, we will have alerted the whole coast

Emergency official, Elvezio Galanti

"In two minutes, two-point-five minutes, bells and sirens sound in Stromboli. One minute later, almost simultaneously, the alarm sounds across the Lipari islands," said emergency official Elvezio Galanti on Rai television.

"Then a few minutes later, within 10 minutes, we will have alerted the whole coast."

Italy's civil defence chief, Guido Bertolaso, says the main risk at present is that a build-up of solidified lava on the steep slopes of the volcano could slip into the sea, causing another tidal wave.

Warning time

More than 40 towns in Calabria are on the map of areas potentially under threat.

Thermal cameras monitor the lava flow

Experts say residents would have 40 to 45 minutes to react before a tidal wave reached them from Stromboli.

Mr Bertolaso has tried to damp down fears voiced in the Italian media that a catastrophic volcanic eruption might be imminent.

The new thermal cameras are monitoring the main lava flow, known as the Fire Stream (Sciara del Fuoco).

The wave-measuring buoy comes into operation on Thursday.