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re-examined here, by means of unpublished helicopter-borne (visible and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.