After the seismic swarm of the past few days, many are wondering what could happen in the area surrounding the Campi Flegrei, a vast area of volcanic origin located north-west of city of Naples.
The Phlegrean Fields
The Campi Flegrei are aactive volcanic area located west of Naples, which includes the municipalities of Bacoli, Monte di Procida, Pozzuoli, Quarto, Giugliano in Campania and part of the city of Naples. The adjective Phlegraeans comes from the Greek flègo with the meaning of "I burn", "I burn", it could be replaced with fiery and designates i burning fields due to the presence of numerous fumaroles and thermal waters, all manifestations of secondary volcanism.
The last eruption in this area occurred in 1538, causing the birth of the crater hill of Monte Nuovo. Since then, the activity at Campi Flegrei has been characterized by bradyseism phenomena, fumarolic and hydrothermal activity located in the Solfatara area. Over time, there have been seismic phenomena that have marked the liveliness of the area, which has always been active with the phenomenon of bradysimo.
The Phlegraean Fields today
In recent months, the seismic activity of this volcanic area has caused some concern. In 2023 alone they went further five thousand earthquakes have been recorded. This led to changes in the ground (lowering and raising) driven by the push of magmatic gases and subsoil fluids and sea level in the Gulf of Pozzuoli. We remind you that the Phlegraean area is densely inhabited by around 550.000 people, the result of illegal construction and failure to observe preventive measures risk. For this reason, evacuation plans have been organized for the area.
The many repeated stresses can cause damage to buildings such as houses, shopping centers and infrastructures built on those points. This is why they are hypothesizing the possibility that other earthquakes or, worse, a volcanic eruption could occur.
Monitoring and alerting
The area is constantly monitored byVesuvius Observatory and by 'National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology; scientists, making use of highly advanced technologies and instruments, also rely on the knowledge acquired on other similar volcanoes present in the world.
At present the alert level of the Campi Flegrei is GIALLO, as established by the Department of Civil Protection, based on the results of the monitoring and assessments expressed by the Major Risks Commission. Experts reassure the population and sthe hypothesis linked to a possible volcanic eruption due to the seismic swarm lies. However, predictions cannot be made and we must always be vigilant given that citizens live with the caldera under their homes.
The Campi Flegrei are one of the landscapes of the puzzle of volcanic Italy characterized by the very active Etna e Stromboli but also from extinct volcanoes such as Amiata, Vulsini, Cimini, Vico, Sabatini, Pontine Islands, Roccamonfina, Vulture, including resting volcanoes Vesuvius, Ischia, Alban Hills, Salina, Lipari, Vulcano, Pantelleria, the Ferdinandea island and marsili.
