The shapes of the
volcanic structures
of each Aeolian Island, while not reaching elevations over 1000 metres above sea level, can be considered part of a mountain range.
Each island develops with different shapes and varying gentle or steep profiles, but almost all of them rest on a seabed located between 1250 and 2000 metres of depth.
Alicudi, the second smallest of the islands, is actually a volcanic structure whose total height of 2700 metres is higher than that of the highest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna, which – though 3362 metres high – rests on a 900-metre base of sediment.
The Aeolian archipelago is also formed by numerous underwater volcanoes known as
seamounts
; the most beautiful example is the Secca del Capo, located north of the island of Salina, 1200 metres from the sea floor and whose crater reaches a depth of only 8 metres.
