Etymology of the name: first named “Meligunìs”, deriving from the Greek melos (sweet), perhaps because of its dark coloration, or the abundance of honey produced there. Its present day name goes back to Liparo, the island’s first king.
Origin: volcanic.
Volcanic activity: even though its volcanoes are not active, in volcanic terms they are merely dormant and continue to give rise to fumarole activity, emissions of sulphurous gases, and thermal springs.
Age: the volcanic genesis began 223,000 years ago and ended 1400 years ago, which makes it the fourth oldest after Filicudi, Salina, and Panarea.