A recent study conducted by theNational Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), published in the magazine Remote Sensing Lettershe revealed significant temperature variations in the area of Campi Flegrei in the days preceding the most intense earthquakes.
The research, entitled “A novel algorithm for thermal monitoring using ECOSTRESS time series: the case of Campi Flegrei, Naples, Italy”, is based on the analysis of thermal images captured by the International Space Station (ISS) thanks to the tool Eco-stress, a sensor of the NASA-JPL able to monitor surface temperature with ahigh spatial resolution (About 70 meters) and with surveys every three days on the same area.
Scientists have developed a historical series of thermal data relating to two areas of the Solfatara between 2021 and 2024, analyzing them with two different statistical methods. The aim was to verify if there was a link between the thermal anomalies and the seismic activity of the area.
“We detected anomalous temperature variations in the Solfatara emission zone that preceded some of the most intense earthquakes, with an advance that varied from a few days to a few weeks”, explains Alexander Piscini, researcher at INGV and first author of the study.
For example, the May 17, 2024, a was recorded temperature increase of 5 degrees centigrade, anticipating the 4.4 magnitude earthquake. A'another anomaly was detected the 21 September 2023, with an increase of over 7%, a few days before the earthquake magnitude 4.2 on September 27. The second statistical method also confirmed the thermal anomalies, reporting variations already the 12 April 2024 e the 6 September 2023, respectively for the two seismic events.
In addition to these thermal variations, the study highlights a progressive increase in the average value of the temperature difference in recent years, a phenomenon consistent with other signals already known in the area, such as the bradyseism (ground uplift) and theincrease in carbon dioxide emissions.
“Thermal anomalies, confirmed by two independent analysis methods, strengthen the hypothesis of a possible link between surface temperature and seismic activity in Campi Flegrei”he concludes Christian Fidani, co-author of the research and INGV researcher.
The study could pave the way for new tools monitoring and forecasting of seismic activity in the area, increasing the capacity for prevention and management of geological risk.
In short
A recent study conducted by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), published in the journal Remote Sensing Letters, revealed significant temperature variations in the Campi Flegrei area in the days preceding…
- The research, titled "A novel algorithm for thermal monitoring using ECOSTRESS time series: the case of Campi Flegrei, Naples, Italy,"…
- Scientists have developed a historical series of thermal data relating to two areas of the Solfatara between 2021 and…
- The goal was to verify whether there was a link between thermal anomalies and seismic activity in the area.
Key questions
What is the main point of the news?
A recent study conducted by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), published in the journal Remote Sensing Letters, revealed significant temperature variations in the Campi…
Why is this news relevant?
The research, titled "A novel algorithm for thermal monitoring using ECOSTRESS time series: the case of Campi Flegrei, Naples, Italy,"…
Which detail helps us understand the case better?
Scientists have developed a historical series of thermal data relating to two areas of the Solfatara between 2021 and 2024, analyzing them with…
The study seems very interesting, but I do not know if the temperature variations are really linked to earthquakes. More data is needed to confirm these theories and also understand how these anomalies can affect the safety of the area.