Naples “supervolcano” closer to eruption

Ground movement around Campi Flegrei, an ancient supervolcano, is nearing a critical stage where further unrest could lead to a massive eruption that would affect at least 360,000 inhabitants of the area 


CAMPI FLEGREI: Massive caldera, or collapsed volcano, covering more than 100 sq km. Formed 39,000 years ago in largest eruption in Europe in last 200,000 years

RECENT ACTIVITY
1538: Last eruption

1950s, 1970s and 1980s: Main periods of unrest, with numerous small earthquakes accompanied by uplift in crust as magma builds up beneath surface


Detail

ITALY

CAMPANIA

Naples

Vesuvius

Pozzuoli

Herculaneum

Ischia

Gulf of Pozzuoli

TYRRHENIAN SEA

Gulf of Naples

Pompeii

Sorrento

Capri

8km 5 miles


Volcanologists previously assumed that stress built up during periods of unrest dissipated during quieter intervals between them

They now believe unrest has caused build-up of energy in crust, and any substantial new uplift
could split ground beyond breaking point and trigger eruption

Bay of Naples


Sources: Nature, Vesuvius Observatory 

Picture: Associated Press

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