The Campi Flegrei are not standing still. The largest and most insidious volcano in Europe continues to show signs of strong activity and the risk for the territory is growing. The alert was launched by Mauro Di Vito, director of the Vesuvian Observatory of the INGV, heard today by the Senate Environment Committee.
The message is clear: the ground in the central area of Pozzuoli, in particular in Rione Terra, has risen almost a meter and a half from 2005 to today, with a current average of a centimeter and a half per month. A figure that speaks for itself and photographs an accelerating phenomenon, to be monitored carefully.
It's not just about ground deformations. Seismicity is also increasing, with tremors concentrated in a highly populated area, between Bagnoli, Agnano, Monte Nuovo and the Gulf of Pozzuoli, also touching the territory of Bacoli. The strongest, on May 20, 2024, reached a magnitude of 4.6. Superficial tremors, but capable of generating significant effects, especially in an urbanized and vulnerable context.
At Solfatara the temperature reaches 350 degrees
Then there is the question of underground heat and gases. At Solfatara, one of the most active points of the caldera, the surface temperature reached 168 degrees, while the hydrothermal system touched 350. And the flow of carbon dioxide is impressive: about 5 thousand tons per day, emitted in the area between Solfatara and Pisciarelli. Emissions that also reach the sea, under continuous monitoring.
“We are carrying out a dense campaign of investigations to better understand the dynamics of the volcano and for reasons related to the safety of the population”, explained Di Vito. In fact, CO2 can accumulate in a dangerous way, especially in closed or poorly ventilated environments. A real risk, not a theoretical one. While science works to decipher the signals of the caldera, the need to plan and prepare remains high. The volcano is alive, and its signals cannot be ignored.
Article published on May 20, 2025 - 16:44 pm
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The article is interesting and highlights the risks that exist. But it is difficult to understand how one can really prevent dangerous situations. I believe that more attention is needed on these phenomena and more information for citizens.