Naples – “The emergency plan for the Campi Flegrei is largely insufficient and must be radically revised”: Giuseppe Mastrolorenzo is the one to raise the alarm.
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The well-known volcanologist spoke to Radioclub91 to comment on the delicate situation of bradyseism in the Phlegraean area. According to the expert, the current plan, which provides for the evacuation of 500.000 people, does not take into account the real extent of the risk: "There would be at least three million people in danger, considering the entire metropolitan area of Naples".
Mastrolorenzo stressed that the reference scenario must be updated to include a Plinian eruption, that is, an eruption 80 times stronger than the one that destroyed Pompeii in 79 AD. “Even in the case of an average eruption, the current plan is inadequate,” the volcanologist added, highlighting the need for a more cautious approach.
Campi Flegrei, earthquakes and CO2 emissions: “Situation at the limit”
The volcanologist then drew attention to the recent seismic phenomena and carbon dioxide emissions in the Piana di Agnano, defined as “worrying”. “We are talking about 5.000 tons of CO2 per day, the equivalent of a million vans that emit carbon dioxide in gaseous form”, explained Mastrolorenzo.
Added to this are earthquakes of such magnitude that they could cause victims. "It is necessary to evaluate the transition to the third alert level," he insisted.
Drilling and delays: “We are seriously behind schedule”
Mastrolorenzo also pointed the finger at the drilling carried out in the area of greatest fumarolic emission, considering it one of the causes of the worsening of the situation.
“I already denounced the risks at the time, there was already a yellow alert,” he recalled. The volcanologist criticized the lack of defined thresholds to evaluate the emergency: “The phenomena can increase 100 times without activating adequate procedures. And yet, the first hours of an eruption are crucial.”
Lack of information and institutional responsibility
According to Mastrolorenzo, the situation is aggravated by the lack of information to the population. “By not informing the people, they were not allowed to get to safety or to move away,” he denounced. “We live with bradyseism as if it were a harmless phenomenon, but we do not know its evolution. Objectively, falsehoods have been said.”
The volcanologist finally underlined the responsibility of research and institutions: "We do not have the situation under control. We are late on everything, and this delay could cost us dearly".
Meanwhile, the population of the Phlegraean area remains waiting for concrete answers, while the debate on the adequacy of security measures continues to divide experts and institutions.
Article published on March 17, 2025 - 13pm
