A team of European researchers has recently unveiled alarming findings about the Campi Flegrei volcano, a dormant giant nestled near Naples in southern Italy. After lying dormant for nearly six centuries, this supervolcano is showing signs of reawakening and inching closer to a potential eruption, as revealed in a peer-reviewed study conducted by scholars from England's University College London and Italy's National Research Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology.
The study employed a volcano fracturing model to analyze seismic activity and ground deformation patterns. Tens of thousands of earthquakes have been recorded in the vicinity of the volcano, causing the town of Pozzuoli, situated atop Campi Flegrei, to rise by approximately 13 feet. This seismic activity and resulting ground uplift have subjected various sections of the volcano to immense strain, pushing them perilously close to their breaking limits. The researchers highlight that the ground appears to be on the verge of fracturing rather than flexing, amplifying concerns about the volcano's stability.
This new research paints a worrisome picture of Campi Flegrei's current state, suggesting that its prolonged period of dormancy has rendered it weaker and more susceptible to rupture. While the exact timing and magnitude of any future eruption remain uncertain, these findings underscore the importance of closely monitoring the volcano and implementing measures to mitigate potential risks.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/campi-flegrei-volcano-closer-to-erution-last-erupted-1538-researchers/