Campi Flegrei: Dormant Supervolcano Stirs

Magnitude 4.4 Earthquake Shakes Southern Italy

A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck the town of Pozzuoli, near the Campi Flegrei supervolcano in southern Italy, on Monday evening, causing mild damage. The earthquake is a reminder that the volcano, located west of Naples, is still active despite its long period of dormancy.

Subterranean Unrest

Scientists believe that the earthquake was triggered by volcanic gas seeping into the crust beneath the volcano's surface. The gas is likely coming from the magma chamber that lies beneath the volcano and is slowly filling up.

Campi Flegrei is a large caldera volcano, meaning it has a large crater that formed after a massive eruption. The volcano has erupted several times in the past, including a major eruption in 39 AD that destroyed the Roman city of Pompeii. Since then, the volcano has been dormant, but scientists have been monitoring it closely for signs of unrest.

Supervolcano Threat

Campi Flegrei is classified as a supervolcano, a term used to describe a volcano that has the potential to erupt with catastrophic force. Supervolcano eruptions can release vast amounts of ash and pumice into the atmosphere, causing global cooling and disruptions to the climate.

Scientists believe that the risk of a supervolcano eruption at Campi Flegrei is low, but they are still studying the volcano to better understand its behavior and to develop early warning systems in case of an eruption.