The 30 December 2002 tsunamigenic landslides of Stromboli volcano: A reappraisal

Volcanic mass flows constitute an important trigger of tsunamis, resulting in more local, although sometimes larger, impacts comparable to earthquake-induced tsunamis. Bearing in mind the destructive potential of these phenomena, the tsunamigenic landslide that occurred on 30 December 2002 on the unstable NW slope of Stromboli volcano in Italy has been re-examined here, by means of unpublished helicopter-borne (visible and thermal) images, and slope stability analysis. The main result of this study is that the sequence of landslides triggering the 2002 Stromboli tsunami can be defined as the final stage of a lateral magma intrusion that exerted a high thrust at high altitude, destabilizing the entire slope. This study, allowing a fuller understanding of the event that took place in Stromboli on 30 December 2002, also allows us to generalize the results, making a contribution to comprehending the volcanic edifice failures that can trigger tsunamis.