Terry Pratchett
Jingo is a novel spun around the tale of an island rising
from the sea ...
ABC News
Sunday, August 4, 2002. Posted: 06:38:49 (AEDT)
Scientists watch as lost island off Sicily prepares for return
Seismologists in Italy say a submerged volcano off Sicily, which last
rose above the sea in 1831 sparking territorial claims by four nations,
is showing signs of increased activity.
"There's a slight increase in micro-seismic and geo-chemistry activity,"
head of Italy's Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology, Enzo Boschi,
told a conference on Saturday in Trapani, Sicily.
The volcano, the peak of which is currently eight metres below water,
is located between Sicily and Tunisia in an area known for its volcanic
activity.
Mr Boschi says there had been "some small tremors which have been detectable
by gas emissions and sophisticated sensors".
Mr Boschi did not say whether the current level of activity would cause
the volcano to breach the surface once again but his team is watching
for developments.
"We are increasing our monitoring activity using the most modern technology,"
he said.
A group of Italian divers recently planted a flag on the submerged rock
to claim it for Italy should it emerge again, a recent report in the daily
Corriere della Sera said.
It set off months of diplomatic wrangling when it last emerged in July
1831, growing to nearly five kilometres in circumference and reaching
a height of 63 metres.
Known to Italians as Ferdinandea and to Britain as Graham Island, it was
claimed by London, Spain and the Bourbon Court of Sicily before subsiding
back into the depths of the Mediterranean six months later.
It has emerged and subsided four times over the centuries and submarine
eruptions were first reported during the first Punic war (264-241 BC).
The Sun:
Battle Over Volcano Isle
By NICK PARKER
AN ISLAND which sank into the Mediterranean 170 years ago after being claimed
by Britain is set to start a diplomatic row.
Graham Island — the tip of an active volcano
under the sea off Sicily — is being pushed back to the surface by
the eruption of nearby Mount Etna.
Britain, Italy and France are ready to reclaim it.
The Italians have already sent a diving team down to plant their flag.
A Foreign Office spokesman said last night: “We
are looking at its legal status.”
The countries almost went to war just before the
island collapsed into the sea in 1832.
A British naval party braved volcano gas to hoist
the Union Jack — and named the land after First Lord of the Admiralty
Sir James Graham.
The King of Naples hit back by sending troops to
take down the British flag. And the French then claimed the island and
named it Giulia.
The Spanish also staked a claim fearing enemy warships
could capitalise on its position between Sicily and Tunisia.
There was an international outcry in 1987 when a
US warplane mistook the isle for a Libyan sub and dropped depth charges.
The tip of the island is just 26ft below the surface
and rising by the hour as lava solidifies.
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