Strongest Earthquake in Decades Rocks Naples’ Volcanic Caldera
Panic gripped the streets near Naples on Monday night as the Campi Flegrei volcanic caldera was hit by the strongest earthquakes in decades. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) recorded a major 4.4-magnitude tremor at 8:00 PM local time (6 PM GMT), just 1.6 miles underground. This quake was preceded by a 3.5-magnitude shake and followed by dozens of aftershocks, sparking widespread alarm.
Emergency Shelters Set Up as Residents Flee Homes
Fearing further shocks, hundreds fled their homes and gathered along the seafront between Pozzuoli and Naples. Campania’s civil protection swiftly erected a tensile structure at the port of Pozzuoli to house those too scared to return inside. Mayor Luigi Manzoni announced schools in Pozzuoli will remain closed on Tuesday, with temporary accommodation arranged for displaced residents.
Campi Flegrei: A Sleeping Giant Stirring Again
Experts warn the Campi Flegrei supervolcano is becoming more unstable. Formed after a massive eruption 39,000 years ago, its last eruption was in 1538. Nearby Mount Vesuvius, infamous for burying Pompeii over 2,000 years ago, adds to the region’s volcanic threat.
“We have to live with fear all the time,” a local resident told Rainews. “How long will the buildings hold out while experiencing all these shocks? That’s what we wonder.”
Despite residents’ anxiety, specialists insist a full eruption is still unlikely for now. However, they note recent increased gas emissions from magma signal heightened volcanic activity, meaning close monitoring remains critical.
Quick Facts: Naples Earthquakes and Campi Flegrei Activity
- Strongest earthquakes near Naples’ Campi Flegrei caldera in decades
- Magnitude 4.4 quake struck at shallow depth, followed by many aftershocks
- About 150 tremors recorded within five hours on Monday night
- Emergency shelters and school closures in Pozzuoli to protect residents
- Experts warn eruption unlikely soon, but remain vigilant amid ongoing activity
INGV continues 24/7 monitoring, while civil protection teams stay on high alert to safeguard locals amid this seismic unrest.
