“We have no evidence of magma rising”, declared the President of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), Carlo Doglioni, during a hearing yesterday at the Environment Commission of the Chamber of Deputies.
The geologist's intervention served to take stock of the situation of the Campi Flegrei, raising concerns about the possible resumption of volcanic activity in the area.
Despite the lack of direct evidence of an imminent magma rise, Doglioni confirmed the presence of a magma chamber at about 7-8 kilometers of depth under the Campi Flegrei. He also hypothesizes the existence of more superficial magma levels, the extent and dimensions of which, however, remain “fairly unknown.”
These magmatic infiltrations, according to experts, would be the cause of the uplift of the ground in the area, with vertical movements that in recent months have reached 20-30 millimeters per month, with peaks of 4 centimeters. “But we must remember,” Doglioni specified, “that in 83-84 the uplift reached 9 centimetres per month: the bradyseism then ceased”.
Constant monitoring of the subsoil
INGV reassures that it is constantly monitoring the situation, 24 hours a day. “When we have warnings and different indications of lifting, of degassing such as to generate a sort of alarm, we will be instantly on the scene to inform the authorities, the mayors and the regional and national civil protection”, said Doglioni.
Despite the absence of eruptions since 1538, the Campi Flegrei remain an area at risk. “Certainly the problem must be addressed in terms of vulnerability”, Doglioni underlined. Bradyseism, the uplift of the ground, represents a concrete danger, as does seismicity, which “it is related to the uplift of the ground”.
Article published on May 16, 2024 - 07:10 pm
