Vulcano is part of the Aeolian Island archipelago of Italy. Named for Vulcan, Roman god of fire and metalworking, Vulcano is a unique habitat for extremophiles, microbes adapted to harsh environments. Sulfur and alum are mined here though history by slaves and children.
Just north of Sicily, the island is known to the ancient Greeks as Hiera and considered sacred. It's associated with Greek Fire God Hephaestus, who flares briefly and falls into the shadow of Rome. To the Romans it's the forge of Vulcan, who makes weapons for gods and heroes.
Eruptions from the island's active volcano, La Fossa, are recorded by 500 BCE. In 1888-1890, a significant eruption evacuates the island.
Alum & Sulfur Mines
Vulcano is a site of ancient Roman industry, particularly in the mining of alum, a salt used as a mordant in dyeing, and sulfur, a bright yellow gemstone with uses in industry, medicine and alchemy. Sulfur compounds are used as bleach, and later in fabric dyes and skin treatments.
Most copper ores are sulfides, from which precious copper metals are extracted. Typical ores include the sulfides chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), bornite (Cu5FeS4), and, to a lesser degree, covellite (CuS) and chalcocite (Cu2S).
Roman surgeons apply alum, usually potassium alum, to wounds to promote healing. Alum dries the wound and pulls the tissues together, important to the recovery process. As a salt, alum also helps disinfect the wound.
Remnants of mining activity are still found today, among craters and fumaroles. Conditions in sulfur mines of this area are searing hot and horrendous. As with the cinnabar mines in Spain, Romans use convicts and incorrigible slaves as workers.
The terrible working conditions cause physical and moral deterioration. Into the Victorian era, workers are illiterate and uneducated, often mistreated. Many have lived their lives in the mines, eating and sleeping in or near them.
Their bodies are distorted and knees misshapen from the burdens they carry, up to 80 kilos or 176 lb. Miners suffer from partial or complete vision loss due to eye injuries.
In the 19th century, mines of Vulcano produce about 2,000 tons of sulfur. Many workers are young boys laboring in slave conditions from dawn to dusk. From the mid-1800s to the early 1900s the term carusu refers to a "mine-boy."
A worker in sulfur, salt, or potash mines, he works beside a picuneri or pick-man. His job is to transport raw ore from the depths of the mine to the surface. The boys are as young as five, sold into mine work by orphanages or their own parents, who receive a "death benefit".
They often ascend with their ore in complete darkness, followed and preceded by others. A fall has tragic consequences. Although conditions improve due to late 19th century labor laws, boys are still used to carry ore until the 1950s.
Volcanic Activity
Vulcano's geology is dominated by volcanic activity. The island has multiple craters and fumaroles, a paradise for geologists, researchers and extremophiles.
La Fossa is the most prominent feature. This active stratovolcano last erupts in 1890 and is characterized by ongoing geothermal activity. Steam and sulfur gasses billow up through fumaroles, vents in the Earth’s crust.
Along the rims of fumaroles, bright yellow sulfur deposits occur as flowers of sulfur, or sublimed sulfur. These are also created by alchemists, the natural philosophers and scientists of history. Thermal springs and mud baths attract tourists from Roman times to present day.
In Roman mythology, the fumes are created by Vulcan, the blacksmith of the gods. He forges weapons and armor in his fiery workshop, including the legendary armor of Mars, God of War. Vulcan's helpers are the Cyclopes, who create thunderbolts for Jupiter.
Extremophiles: Microbiology of Vulcano
Vulcano's extreme geological conditions offer valuable opportunities for the discovery of extremophiles, microbial organisms prospering in harsh environments. These unique microorganisms are key to understanding life in extreme conditions.
The hyperthermophilic archaean Pyrococcus furiosus is first isolated from the sediments of Vulcano. This microorganism enjoys temperatures over 100 °C (212 °F) and has potential applications in biotechnology.
The study of extremophiles like Pyrococcus furiosus offers insights into the limits of life on Earth and has potential in astrobiology, especially in the search for life on planets with extreme environments. Vulcano is a natural laboratory.
Pyrococcus furiosus is valuable to modern science and biotechnology for its enzymes. Known for their stability at high temperatures, they're used in industrial processes including DNA amplification techniques, and advancements in genetic research.
Quick Facts about Vulcano
Fumaroles and Mud Baths: The island’s fumaroles produce sulfurous gases that are channeled into mud baths, believed to have therapeutic properties.
Mythical Connections: The island is linked to the myth of the Cyclopes, who make weapons for Zeus at Vulcan's forge.
UNESCO World Heritage: The Aeolian Islands, including Vulcano, are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for their volcanic landscapes and unique ecosystems.
Geothermal Energy Potential: The geothermal activity on Vulcano has sparked interest in renewable energy sources.
Tourist Destination: Vulcano’s stunning scenery, hot springs and hiking trails attract rampant hordes of tourists.
Diverse Ecosystems: The unique environment of Vulcano fosters an array of flora and fauna. Some species are endemic to the island.
Vulcano is an island where mythology and science converge, offering a glimpse into the Earth's dynamic processes connecting to stories and beliefs of ancient civilizations. Its unique geological features and extremophile inhabitants make it a fascinating site for science.
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