An international team of researchers, led by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and in collaboration with the University of Roma Tre and the Université de Genève, conducted an in-depth study to better understand the activity of the Campi Flegrei volcano.
Since 2007, the bradyseism phenomenon has seen an increase in seismic activity, ground deformation and gas emission. The main objective of the study was to determine whether these phenomena are due to the movement or accumulation of magma at depth and to trace their evolution over time.
The results of the research, published in the article “Tracking the 2007-2023 magma-driven unrest at Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy)” in the journal Nature – Communications of Earth and Environment, provide new information on the dynamics and current state of the volcano, located in a densely populated area west of Naples.
The study suggests that the volcano is experiencing magma accumulation at relatively shallow depths. Using techniques such as geodesy, numerical simulations, and petrology, researchers mapped the movement of magma between 2007 and 2023.
It has emerged that the rise of magma to less than 8 kilometres depth is the main driver of the ongoing volcanic activity, which has caused the ground to rise by about 1,3 metres in Rione Terra of Pozzuoli from 2006 to today.
The analysis revealed that the source of the deformation is moving closer to the surface, from about 6 km to about 4 km deep.
This rising of magma and magmatic gases not only contributes to the uplift of the ground, but also to the increase in seismic activity and gas emission, especially in the area of Solfatara, one of the main volcanic manifestations of the caldera.
Although there are currently no signs of an imminent eruption, experts warn that the continued accumulation of magma and the increase in pressure underground represent a risk that must be monitored carefully.
Elisa Trasatti, researcher at the INGV National Earthquake Observatory and coordinator of the research group, underlines the importance of constant monitoring of the volcano, located in one of the most densely populated areas of Europe.
Trasatti also highlights technological advances in the ground deformation monitoring network, which uses GNSS and satellite data to reconstruct ground movements and develop advanced models.
Mauro Antonio DiVito, director of the Vesuvius Observatory of the INGV and co-author of the study, adds that although it is not possible to state with certainty the presence of magma at a depth of about 4 km, the study confirms that the magma coming from a depth of 8 km is the main driver of the current activity of the Campi Flegrei.
Valerio Acocella, professor at Roma Tre University and co-author of the study, underlines the importance of international collaboration and a multidisciplinary approach to address complex problems such as that of the Campi Flegrei.
Scientists conclude that although volcanic activity continues, there is currently no reason to believe that the situation is changing critically. The volcano continues to be monitored by a multi-parameter network to detect any developments and ensure a prompt response in collaboration with the Civil Protection.
Article published on 17 September 2024 - 10:17
