Thursday, November 14, 2024

Something very strange is happening in Italy’s underground volcano

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The Flegraean Fields (also known as Campi Flegrei in Italian) are active volcanic fields near Naples, Italy. Unlike nearby Mount Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei does not have a single volcano. It is rather a volcanic system, with several centers located within sunken areas called calderas (essentially deep sinkholes or cauldrons).

Campi Flegrei is surrounded by suburbs and densely populated areas near the city of Pozzuoli. After a period of relative quiet and peace for the past 40 years, things began to change in September 2023.

Earthquakes began to be felt in Campi Flegrei in September 2023. Since then, more than 1,100 earthquakes have been recorded, some reaching 4.2 on the Richter scale. This caused the height of the ground to change. This is a process known as “slow motion.” The region has been affected by this phenomenon before, most recently from 1968 to 1972 and then again from 1982 to 1984.

Gradual earthquakes can cause the Earth’s surface to rise or fall when magma chambers buried 3 to 4 kilometers deep fill and empty in cycles of uplift and subsidence. This process causes the earthquakes felt by residents here.

However, the people who live here do not care about it, thinking that it is the “breath of the volcano” that lies beneath their eyes. Still, volcanologists have been studying calderas to predict what will happen in the future to avoid potential disasters.

Pisciarelli fumarole

Volcanic flow gushing out from the hills
Gases and steam are released from the Pisciarelli fumarole in Pozzuoli, Naples.Photo credit: Luigi Avantaggiato

Fumaroles, such as Pisciarelli fumarole, are surface vents that emit steam and hot volcanic gases such as sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide. These can occur as holes, cracks, and fissures near active volcanoes or in areas where magma has risen into the Earth’s crust without erupting.

temple of serapis

Ancient town with pillars and clouds in the background
The Temple of Serapis, a Roman market building in the Italian city of Pozzuoli, is surrounded by more modern buildings.Photo credit: Luigi Avantaggiato

The Temple of Serapis in Pozzuoli (which was a market building rather than a temple) is considered an emblematic monument of the Campi Flegrei region. It is a symbol of volcanic gradual earthquakes in this region. The ground beneath the surface is either rising or sinking, so it can be completely dry or half submerged in seawater.

The study of slow earthquakes over the past centuries has been made possible thanks to observations such as those made on the ruins of this Roman building. For example, by studying holes drilled into ancient pillars by marine mollusks over centuries, scientists can study changes in sea levels at this site.

evidence of change

Cracked old wall with sensors and solar panels
A crackmeter monitors the progress of cracks in the walls of the Flavian Amphitheater in Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy.Photo credit: Luigi Avantaggiato

The entire Campi Verglei region has been the subject of continuous monitoring for many years by organizations such as the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (IGNV). Through different types of seismic analysis, we can provide predictions of future activities and possible hazards to nearby residents.

temperature monitoring

A woman's face illuminated by a device with steam behind it
IGNV volcanologist Enrica Marotta pilots a drone during a thermal monitoring mission in the Pisciarelli fumarole area.Photo credit: Luigi Avantaggiato

To better understand volcanic activity in the Campi Flegrei region, volcanologists at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology are using drones. It is equipped with thermal monitoring equipment to study the surface temperature around the fumarole.

These operations are performed only at night. Doing so prevents solar radiation from altering measurements of the surface temperature of the Earth’s crust.

Drone flies over volcanic steam
An INGV drone performs a thermal monitoring flight over the Pisciarelli fumarole area.Photo credit: Luigi Avantaggiato

The risk to nearby residents from a deadly pyroclastic flow is potentially very high, making monitoring the situation extremely important. The last earthquake crisis here in 1983 required more than 30,000 people to be evacuated from the Campi Flegrei area.

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Volcano monitoring room

Man using computer mouse on screen
Mauro Di Vito, director of the Vesuvia Observatory, works in the observation room of INGV in Naples.Photo credit: Luigi Avantaggiato

The Vesuvian Observatory is the world’s oldest volcanic observatory, established in 1841 to monitor volcanic activity in the Naples region. This includes the Fellgrei region of Campi, as well as the islands of Ischia, Stromboli and the volcanoes of Mount Vesuvius.

measure fever

People with torches on the hill at night
INGV researchers are measuring heat levels in the fumaroles of Monte Nuovo, one of the craters of the Campi Flegrei caldera, via thermocouples. In the background is the commercial port of Pozzuoli, Italy.Photo credit: Luigi Avantaggiato

Monta Nuovo, or “New Mountain”, is an active volcano. It is located between the Gulf of Naples and the city center of Pozzuoli. Formed in 1538, it was one of the first volcanic eruptions to be witnessed and recorded by a large number of people. During its formation, the volcano destroyed the ancient village of Tripelgol, which contained hot springs and a magnificent Roman villa.

Monta Nuovo

A man shines a torch in a hole in the ground
INGV researchers are using thermal imaging cameras to measure heat levels around a fumarole on Mount Nuovo in Pozzuoli, Italy.Photo credit: Luigi Avantaggiato

Scientists believe that a future eruption in the area could result in damaging and unpredictable pyroclastic flows, putting the lives of up to 500,000 residents at risk.

Solfatara Crater

Quarry with trees in the foreground
View of Solfatara Crater, part of Campi Flegrei, Italy.Photo credit: Luigi Avantaggiato

Solfatara Crater is one of 40 volcanic areas that make up the Campi Flegrei volcanic system. Most of these ruins are underwater in the Bay of Naples. Solfatara is located approximately 2 miles from Pozzuoli city center. Thanks to the steam and sulfur released by the crater, it was once a popular tourist destination and has been used medicinally since Roman times. However, entry has been prohibited since 2019 for safety reasons.

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