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A Volcano in the Alps?

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Abstract

This paper analyzes the article published in Sankt-Peterburgskie Vedomosti (SPV) and a number of foreign studies addressing the natural cataclysm that occurred in Savoy (Western Alps) in 1751 and was recognized by witnesses as a volcanic eruption. This event was observed by V. Donati, a famous natural sc-ientist of the 18th century, and described by H.B. de Saussure, a prominent researcher of the Alps. Other evidence of similar phenomena in the Alps is presented from the historical data. It is suggested that a special type of explosive eruption, not accompanied by lava pouring out but still very dangerous may occur in the Alps.

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REFERENCES

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author thanks Cand. Philos. Sci. S.Yu. Nechaev for the English and German print publications of the 18th century, as well as Clara Silvia Roero, the president of the Center for Historical Research of the University of Turin, for providing us with the data that made it possible to reconstruct the history of the investigation of the Savoy event in 1751.

Funding

This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project no. 17-01-00503a.

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Correspondence to L. I. Ioganson.

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The author declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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Translated by V. Arutyunyan

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Ioganson, L.I. A Volcano in the Alps?. Izv. Atmos. Ocean. Phys. 55, 840–845 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1134/S000143381908005X

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S000143381908005X

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