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Monte Vulture Facts & Worksheets

Monte Vulture is an extinct volcano in the Basilicata region of Italy, 56 kilometers north of Potenza. As a prominent landmark, it inspired the Vulture region, Basilicata’s most important viticultural zone, which produces the DOC wine Aglianico del Vulture.

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Monte Vulture is an extinct volcano in the Basilicata region of Italy, 56 kilometers north of Potenza. As a prominent landmark, it inspired the Vulture region, Basilicata’s most important viticultural zone, which produces the DOC wine Aglianico del Vulture.

See the fact file below for more information on Monte Vulture, or you can download our 29-page Monte Vulture worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORICAL ERUPTION

  • The volcano’s first eruptions happened approximately one million years ago, with explosive activity creating ignimbrite. The explosive eruption period ended around 830,000 years ago when the activity shifted to a combination of pyroclastic and effusive lava eruptions that built up the mountain and were dated roughly 500,000 years ago. 
  • One hypothesis for the Valle dei Grigi is that it is an outcome of a mountain sector collapsing, as happened during the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980 and the Mount Unzen eruption in 1792.
  • The most recent phase saw more lava flows and the creation of volcanic domes in the Valle dei Grigi, as well as the formation of two calderas. The most recent eruption is considered to have produced phreatomagmatic explosions that formed maars and minor cold surges roughly 40 000 years ago.

GEOGRAPHY: LOCATION AND STRUCTURE

  • The Vulture is a Pleistocene volcano located north of Basilicata, and it is the tallest mountain in the Apennines’ southeastern sector at 1327 m and the easternmost volcanic center in the entire Italian magmatic region. 
  • Indeed, all of the Italian volcanoes are located along the peninsula’s very-Tyrrhenian sector, where crustal thinning favors the rising of magmas and deep fluids originating in the terrestrial mantle. In contrast, Vulture Mt. is located in the front of the chain-foredeep-foreland system.
  • Furthermore, the Vulture corresponds with a critical regional transfer fault cutting the entire Italian peninsula transversely from Paestum to Trinitapoli. A transmissive cinematic of this fault has allowed magma uprising and the supply of the Vulture volcanic activity.
  • Additionally, recent geochemical studies on several hot springs and gas emissions along this tectonic structure revealed that these gases originated in the mantle, confirming that this fault represents a favored means of ascending for deep fluids and magma. 
  • Vulture’s volcanic products are characterized primarily by pyroclastic flow deposits and fall-out formations of ashes, lapilli, and, subordinately, lava flow deposits, supporting the hypothesis of a complicated eruptive tale defined primarily by an explosive style.
  • The entire volcanic sequence was divided into two super-groups (named the super-system of Monte Vulture and the super-system of Monticchio), which included not only the primary lava products but additionally epiclastic deposits due to erosion during extended periods of volcanic stagnation (in order from hundreds to thousands of years). 
  • Several erosive features and alluvial river structures may be seen near Rionero in the Vulture and Barile centers, severing the pyroclastic sequences over the entire volcanic area. The first eruptive deposits at Foggianello were dated at 674 kiloyears, and then the principal volcanic products exploded from a central cone, constructing the entire volcanic structure.
  • The Melfi lava dome eruption terminated the Vulture volcano’s first eruptive phase, which was followed by a lengthy period of volcanic stagnation during which erosive processes considerably destroyed the vulcanites.
  • In addition, the resumption of volcanic activity resulted in the formation of multiple craters in a decentralized location relative to the volcanic cone, in a setting by several tiny lakes, the deposits of which resulted in coeval to the new vulcanites. In detail, two volcanic phases formed multiple craters placed along a tectonic structure that controlled the volcano-tectonic collapse of the volcano’s southern sector.
  • Carbonatites, volcanic rocks gained by crystallization of magmas primarily with a carbonatic composition highlighting mantle pollution (silicate magmas source) with carbonatic lithologies relating to the Apulian plate, in subduction above the Apennines, were erupted in the final stages of Mt. Vulture’s volcanic activity. 
  • Finally, the geological peculiarities of this volcano represent the specific geodynamic circumstances prevailing in this sector of the Apennines and, more broadly, in the region of the Mediterranean,  which is an important research goal both academically and for practical applications.

EVOLUTION

  • The first signs of activity at Monte Vulture in central Italy were ignimbrites, but most of the volcano was constructed by plinian air fall sediments. Concurrent remobilization of these deposits resulted in forming a lahar apron at the foundation of the central cone. 
  • The volcano was built on a ridge, and the valley to the east, and rivers to the north and south, served as sediment traps for volcaniclastic materials deposited by fluvial reprocessing directly through volcanic activity. 
  • The valley to the west had been scoured clean by active downcutting. The west flank instability as a result of this erosion was most likely a contributing cause of the volcano’s flank’s significant gravitational sector collapse, which ended the primary cone-building phase. Furthermore, the Monticchio calderas and related phreatomagmatic explosions produced airfall and surge deposits during the last volcanic phase. 
  • Because most of the activity at Vulture has been repetitive plinian eruptions with similar product assemblages, a thorough chronology of the volcano is difficult to achieve.
  • Moreover, various facies are discovered and analyzed in connection with volcanic workflows, distance from the vent, and climatic variables to characterize Vulture’s output.

VULTURE REGION

  • The Vulture, commonly referred to as the Vulture-Melfese or Vulture-Alto Bradano, is a geographical and historical region in northern Potenza, Basilicata, Italy. 
  • Atella, Barile, Ginestra, Melfi, Rapolla, Ripacandida, Rionero in Vulture, Maschito, Venosa, Ruvo del Monte, Rapone, and San Fele are among the communities in the area. The area is named after the doomed volcano Monte Vulture (1326 meters). The two lakes of Monticchio within the volcano’s crater, as well as the fortresses of Frederick II of Hohenstaufen at Castel Lagopesole and Melfi, are among the sights.
  • The abundant volcanic rock soil of the Vulture is ideal for growing grapes and olives. The region produces the DOC wine Aglianico del Vulture, as well as Aglianico Dolce, a dessert wine, Aglianico di Filiano, Malvasia del Vulture, and Moscato del Vulture. There are numerous springs in the Monte Vulture area, and many kinds of mineral-rich water are bottled there.
  • On the other hand, Monticchio is located in the Vulture region, near the Province of Avellino in Campania. Its three little communities lie approximately west of Mount Vulture and are only a few kilometers apart. Monticchio Bagni and Monticchio Laghi are connected by a regional road.
  • Monticchio Bagni is the most northern locality, located a few kilometers from the Campania border and its closed railway station on the Avellino-Lioni-Rocchetta line. It is the most inhabited locality, with roughly 250 people.
  • Monticchio Laghi, on the slopes of Mount Vulture, has a population of roughly 150 people. There are two little volcanic lakes in front of it, and the area is friendly to tourists. Since 1971, the smaller of the two lakes, home to the European owl moth, has been designated as a natural reserve known as Riserva regionale Lago piccolo di Monticchio. The settlement is surrounded by two abbeys: St. Michael and the ruins of St. Hippolytus.
  • Monticchio Sgarroni, with an inhabitants of roughly 50 people, is the smallest. It is also known as Sgarroni. Monticchio is also 13 kilometers from Melfi, 16 kilometers from Rionero in Vulture, 22 kilometers from Atella, 71 kilometers from Foggia, and 123 kilometers from Avellino.

Monte Vulture Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Monte Vulture across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Monte Vulture. Monte Vulture is an extinct volcano in the Basilicata region of Italy, 56 kilometers north of Potenza. As a prominent landmark, it inspired the Vulture region, Basilicata’s most important viticultural zone, which produces the DOC wine Aglianico del Vulture.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Monte Vulture Facts 
  2. eMO(DE)
  3. Broken Wall
  4. Vulture’s Catechize!
  5. The Part of It!
  6. CommuniTHREES
  7. Picture_It_Out
  8. Mt. Vulture’s Profile
  9. Which is Which?
  10. Research TIme!
  11. Myth Vulture Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Monte Vulture?

Monte Vulture, also known as Vulture-Melfese or simply Monte Vulture, is an extinct stratovolcano situated in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. It’s part of the larger Apennine mountain range.

What is the significance of Monte Vulture?

Monte Vulture has both geological and historical importance. Geologically, it is a caldera, a volcanic feature formed by the collapse of a volcano into its own empty magma chamber after a massive eruption. Historically, the region around Monte Vulture has been inhabited for thousands of years, with evidence of ancient settlements and human activity.

What is the landscape like around Monte Vulture?

The landscape around Monte Vulture is characterized by its unique caldera shape, with the mountain rising as a rim around a large, circular depression. The caldera hosts several small towns and villages, as well as fertile soil that supports agriculture, particularly vineyards and olive groves.

Is Monte Vulture still active?

No, Monte Vulture is considered an extinct volcano, meaning it is no longer active and hasn’t erupted for a significant period of time. The last known eruption is believed to have occurred thousands of years ago.

What is there to do at Monte Vulture today?

Today, Monte Vulture and its surrounding region offer a variety of activities for visitors. Tourists can explore the picturesque towns and villages within the caldera, enjoying local cuisine and wines. Hiking and outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the beautiful natural scenery and trails. Additionally, the area is known for its archaeological sites and historical landmarks, providing insights into the region’s rich history.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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