The Italian government is considering a mass evacuation plan for tens of thousands of residents living near the Campi Flegrei supervolcano near Naples addresses “The Guardian”
Rising Concerns
This move comes in response to ongoing seismic activity, with over 1,100 earthquakes recorded in the past month, including a 4.0 magnitude quake on Monday and a 4.2 last week.
The government intends to assess building integrity in the area, with discussions scheduled for a cabinet meeting. Campi Flegrei, larger than nearby Vesuvius, poses a significant volcanic risk to towns and villages like Pozzuoli, Agnano, and Bacoli, with a combined population exceeding 500,000.
Bradyseism Phenomenon
The heightened seismic activity around Campi Flegrei is likely related to bradyseism, a phenomenon associated with the movement of underground magma chambers causing the Earth to rise or fall.
While an immediate eruption isn’t imminent, the ground’s monthly rise of 1.5cm (0.59 inches) raises concerns about potential structural damage to local buildings. Evacuations will be considered only in cases of “extreme necessity,” according to Italy’s civil protection minister, Nello Musumeci.
Measures Taken
The cabinet plans to allocate additional resources to local civil protection agencies and launch a public awareness campaign, according to Minister Musumeci. Local hospitals in the area will conduct evacuation drills to prepare for potential earthquakes or eruptions.
he region experienced a similar bout of earthquakes in the 1980s, resulting in the temporary evacuation of 40,000 people, while the last significant eruption occurred in 1538, with a historic eruption 39,000 years ago possibly impacting Neanderthal populations as evidenced by magma remnants discovered in Greenland.
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Source- The Guardian
