Recent activity Graham Island (Mediterranean Sea)

a seismograph, placed on underwater island in 2006, recovered in 2007

after 1863, volcano lay dormant many decades, summit 8 m (26 ft) below sea level. in 2000, renewed seismic activity around graham island led volcanologists speculate new eruptive episode imminent, , seamount might once again become island. forestall renewal of sovereignty disputes, italian divers planted flag on top of volcano in advance of expected resurfacing. bolster case, sicilians, call ferdinandea, summoned descendant of bourbon king of naples. in ceremony filmed flotilla of camera crews, prince carlo di bourbon lowered plaque waves , told cheering locals: sicilian. lobbied fishermen , sailors, ignazio cucchiara, mayor of sciacca, invited prince carlo attend ceremony wife, duchess of castro camilla crociani. accommodate television crews plaque lowered before reaching shoal, danger shipping. choppy waters forced divers postpone operation week, until november 13, 2000. diving crew planted sicily s flag, features medusa s head surrounded 3 naked legs – sign traditionally interpreted keep away.

the marble plaque, weighing 150 kg (330 lb), inscribed “this piece of land, once ferdinandea, belonged , shall belong sicilian people. prince told cheering locals: sicilian. within 6 months, had been fractured twelve pieces, fishing gear possibly vandalism.

in november 2002 institute of geophysics , volcanology in rome observed minor seismic activity , gas emissions. put time of resurfacing @ couple of weeks or months. italian sailors put italian flag on top of bank avoid other nations claims if island resurfaced. despite showing signs in both 2000 , 2002, seismicity did not lead volcanic eruptions , of 2006 ferdinandea s summit remains 6 metres (20 ft) below sea level.