Panarea submarine crater discovery uncovers new hydrothermal vents

A joint survey by Italy’s Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) and the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (SZN) identified a previously undocumented submarine crater off the island of Panarea in the Aeolian archipelago. The crater measures roughly 100 × 60 metres and lies about 1.5 km north‑east of the island at a depth of 60‑80 metres. Around the crater, researchers documented a series of new hydrothermal chimneys emitting intense degassing.

The discovery resulted from analysis of multibeam acoustic data collected under the IDMAR project, followed by a targeted ROV (Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle) dive in July 2026. The ROV, supplied by the University of Padova and piloted by Marco Munari, confirmed vigorous fluid release along the crater walls and within the chimneys. Lead scientists Antonino Torre, Agostino Semprebello and Alessandro Gattuso said the find “suggests the need to reconsider the extent of the submarine hydrothermal system around Panarea” and will inform future volcanic‑hazard assessments and ecosystem studies.