A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck Italy’s Campi Flegrei super volcano Monday evening, causing mild damage in the town of Pozzuoli, the epicenter, and as far away as Naples, approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) away, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).
The quake, at a depth of 3 kilometers, is the strongest to hit this highly seismic area in the past 40 years, according to INGV data. It is part of an ongoing “seismic storm” that has seen over a dozen events of more than 2.0 magnitude in the past 48 hours.
Damage and Seismic Activity
Cracks in walls and falling cornices were reported, confirmed by Italy’s Fire Brigade spokesman. The 4.4 tremor at 8:10 p.m. local time was preceded by a 3.5 earthquake an hour earlier.
The INGV recorded 1,252 earthquakes in the Campi Flegrei area in April 2024 alone, most with magnitudes less than 1.0. The supervolcano’s last major eruption was in 1538, resulting in the creation of a new bay on the southern Italian coast. Seismic activity has increased since 2022, possibly due to the buildup of magma or gases under the surface, according to volcanologists.
Bradyseism Phenomenon
The volcano, located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Mt. Vesuvius, is prone to bradyseism, where the ground rises and falls due to subsurface pressure. The last major bradyseism cycle was in 1984, but several volcanologists indicate the area is experiencing a new cycle.
Evacuation Plans
More than 500,000 people live in the red zone directly adjacent to Campi Flegrei, according to the Italian Civil Protection agency. The agency has been updating evacuation plans this year in preparation for a potential major disaster.