Mediterranean island on verge of resurfacing after 170 years

IT LAST emerged from the deep Mediterranean waters more than 170 years ago, sparking an angry diplomatic dispute over who owned the craggy outcrop.

Now, it appears, the volcanic island off Sicily has had enough of swimming with the fishes and may be ready to show itself again.

Severe geological activity in the area has led to fevered speculation that Graham Bank - so-called by the British who laid claim to it in 1831 - will soon be seen once more.

The tip of a submerged volcano sparked a flurry of furious diplomatic wrangling between Britain, Spain and the Bourbon court of Sicily, before it sank six months later.

The rock rose 213ft above the surface and stayed above water for long enough for Britain to claim it as Graham Island, while Sicily’s King Ferdinand II called it Ferdinandea.

Scientists now refer to it as Graham Bank, but Italians still call it Ferdinandea.

This time, Sicilian divers have taken no chances and planted a flag on the rock - still 26ft under water - in the hope of claiming it as Italian the moment it rises above the surface.

While it may not spark the same diplomatic spat as 170 years ago if it emerges, there could well be a new claimant.

"I’m sure the European Union will want it as a member, won’t they?" said Enzo Boschi, the head of Italy’s Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology.

Mr Boschi said the increased activity in the area meant there was a good chance the island would rise from the Mediterranean depths. "We’ve seen Etna erupting, seismic activity to the north and east of Sicily and gas activity around the Aeolian Islands," he said.

"The island could come back to the surface, but we’ll have to wait and see ... It could be a few weeks or months.

"We are monitoring things very closely.

"The process could begin at any time … It would be a very beautiful and fascinating event."

Over the centuries, the island has emerged four times, with volcanic eruptions first recorded during the first Punic War of 264-241 BC.

On the southern slopes of Mount Etna yesterday, a thick river of lava was threatening a tourist resort after up to five earthquakes shook the region.

"It was like reliving a nightmare, the walls shook for what appeared to be an endless time," said Enrico Pappalardo, the mayor of Santa Venerina.

Last month, lava and ash from Etna closed nearby Catania Airport for several days.