A seismic storm has struck the Campi Flegrei super volcano in southern Italy, triggering the most powerful earthquake in the region in 40 years. The 4.4 magnitude earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 3 kilometers, has caused mild damage in the town of Pozzuoli, the epicenter, and tremors were felt as far away as the city of Naples, some 20 kilometers (12 miles) away.
The Campi Flegrei super volcano, located in the Phlegraean Fields, is the largest caldera in southern Italy and has been closely monitored by the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) due to its history of seismic activity. The INGV recorded more than a dozen events over 2.0 magnitude in the past 48 hours, with the strongest earthquake, a 4.4 tremblor, occurring at 8:10 p.m. local time, preceded by a 3.5 earthquake an hour earlier.
The last major eruption of the Campi Flegrei super volcano was in 1538, which resulted in the creation of a new bay on the southern Italian coast. The INGV has noted an increase of seismic activity since 2022, which could be due either to the building up of magma under the surface or the building up of gases, according to several volcanologists.
Campi Flegrei is also prone to a phenomenon known as bradyseism, during which the ground raises and falls due to pressure under the surface. The last major cycle was in 1984, but several volcanologists told CNN that the area is experiencing a new cycle of the phenomenon.
More than 500,000 people live in the red zone directly adjacent to the Campi Flegrei, according to the Italian Civil Protection agency, which has been working this year to update evacuation plans in the event of a major disaster.
Local residents have reported mild damage to buildings in Pozzuoli, including cracks in walls and broken windows. The Italian government has advised residents to remain calm and follow the instructions of the Civil Protection agency.
The INGV has increased its monitoring of the Campi Flegrei super volcano and has urged residents to be prepared for further seismic activity. The situation is being closely monitored by scientists and authorities, with the aim of ensuring the safety of the local population.
As the seismic storm continues to shake the Campi Flegrei super volcano, the world watches with bated breath, hoping that the geological unrest will not result in a catastrophic eruption.
コメント