Multiple Strong Quakes Rattle Pozzuoli, Naples
Italy's Campi Flegrei supervolcano has been hit by a series of earthquakes since Monday evening (May 20), causing minor damage in the town of Pozzuoli and as far away as Naples, some 20km away, according to Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).
Cracks in walls and falling ceilings have been reported, a spokesperson for the Italian fire service confirmed to CNN. The strongest quake, a magnitude 4.4 tremor at a depth of 3km, is the most significant to hit the seismically active area in 40 years, according to INGV data. It is part of an ongoing "swarm" with more than a dozen events above magnitude 2.0 in the past 48 hours.
Increase in Seismic Activity
The 4.4-magnitude quake at 8:10pm local time was preceded by a 3.5-magnitude tremor an hour earlier. INGV has recorded 1,252 earthquakes in the Campi Flegrei area in April 2024, mostly measuring less than 1.0 magnitude.
Campi Flegrei last erupted violently in 1538, creating a new bay on Italy's southern coastline. INGV has reported an increase in seismic activity since 2022, which some volcanologists believe could be due to magma accumulating beneath the surface or buildup of gases.
Potential for Uplift, Eruption
Located around 50km from Mount Vesuvius, the volcano is prone to a phenomenon known as bradyseism, in which the ground rises and falls due to pressure beneath the surface. The most recent major cycle occurred in 1984, but some volcanologists believe the area is entering a new phase of uplift.
Italy's Civil Protection Agency, which is working this year to update emergency evacuation plans in case of a major event, has indicated that more than 500,000 people live in the red zone immediately surrounding Campi Flegrei.
Summary
A swarm of earthquakes, including a magnitude 4.4 tremor, has hit the Campi Flegrei supervolcano in Italy, causing damage and raising concerns about increased seismic activity. The volcano has a history of violent eruptions and is prone to ground uplift, with authorities working to update evacuation plans in case of a disaster.