What we see Filicudi is only a small part of a vast submarine volcanic system (35 km extension) whose mouths have been, from the Pleistocene (about 1.3 million years ago) Filicudi, the first of the Aeolian Islands to have emerged from water through volcanic explosions and lava eruptions.
The Aeolian archipelago has a volcanic origin. Some volcanoes are still active, as Stromboli, snorting several times a day, while others are dormant, such as Vulcan, and probably Panarea, the others are off, including Filicudi.
Yet it all started from here, about 600,000 million years ago, with a great escape of magma that created the mountain Zucco Grande. The lava in this area is in fact the most ‘ancient of all the Aeolian Islands. From the depths of the earth where the African plate to the south and the Eurasian in the north are up against.
After this explosion all is quiet up to 40,000 years ago, when the sides of Filicudi opened lava beds, the skiing, still visible. Another 20,000 years of quiet, and the volcano resumed its activity, forming the dome of Capo Graziano and the highest mountain in the island: Blackwater Ferns, to 774 meters above sea level.
Everything Filicudi talk about this extraordinary meeting of the fire with water: the six mountains that make up the island, from La Guardia to Riberosse are mouths of fire, the stack of Canna is an ancient magma conduit, and the point where Today you can swim, have cooled lava flows from the sea. Even the Rock of Fortune is a natural pool of solidified lava.
The base of the volcano is about 1000 meters deep, and got to Filicudi a fertile land, in addition to its unique morphology.
Island or the surrounding area live peregrine falcons, seabirds, donkeys and rabbits, owls, bats, dwarf Mediterranean, dolphins, sea turtles, whales, shrimp and red races. In spring and autumn migratory birds pass: pelicans, purple herons, cranes and flamingos.
And grow broom, olives, capers, oleander, myrtle, fern, rosemary, figs, almonds and wormwood. A lush life created by the violence of the volcano.
The lava flows have created, thanks to erosion, even extraordinary caves. The best known is that of Bue Marino, where you can get in the boat and carried away by darkness and quiet of this time naturally. Another way to visit the cave with the mask. Leaving out from darkness to light, the underwater scenery is spectacular, a turquoise crossed by oblique rays of light. This cave is named for the colony of Bui Marine who once lived.
Another special training due to the geography of the area, is the underground cave where they breed the shrimp pot. The vault is 45 meters below sea level and is known for the incredible electric blue color of its walls due to the presence of hundreds of shrimp eggs
Imagine then how Filicudi the top of a gigantic mountain the land is only 40%. The rest of this mountain of 1774 meters (of which 774 identified) is under water, with depths that among the other island, reaching 2,000 meters deep. That is why whales also live here. In 2010 they were counted over 12 who live permanently deep waters of these areas.
Being the second westernmost island archipelago (after Alicudi) Filicudi east, is bordered by miles of open sea. Hence, if there was a day so clear day to see everything, we saw the coast of Spain. Perhaps that is why the island’s waters are so clear.
