When you think of a volcanic eruption in Italy, your first thought is probably the Vesuvius and the disaster that occurred in Pompeii. However, Italy is not unrelated to volcanic activity. One of the largest eruptions to have ever taken place in Italy took place in the Campi Flegrei region (Fields Phlegraean), located near Vesuvius.
In recent years, Campi Flegrei has undergone troubles, arousing speculation to find out if it will be the site of another massive volcanic eruption again. To better understand it, let’s reproduce a dive into its volcanic past.
Massive eruptions thousands of years ago
Campi Flegrei, as well as Mont Vesuve, each in the Campanian volcanic arc. Volcanic activity always occurs regularly, although nothing as monumental as some of the past eruptions.
A recent study in Earth and Environment Communications Discuss the volcanic events that have occurred in Campi Flegrei in the past, including one of the largest eruptions in the region about 40,000 years ago, known as the Ignimbrite Campanian, and the Maddaloni / X-6 eruption which occurred about 109,000 years ago.
The Campanian ignimbrite eruption apparently opened a nine -mile diameter, covering the region ash. Maddaloni / X-6 was only slightly smaller, but they all registered in 7 on the VEI scale.
Learn more: What is happening at the Flegrei Caldera Italian Campi?
The last eruption in Campi Flegrei
Since these VEI-7 eruptions thousands and thousands of years ago, Campi Flegrei has remained active with rashes measuring in VEI-3 and VEI-4 and even a VEI-5 for the next thousands of years.
According to the global volcanism program of the Smithsonian Institution, the last time the volcano broke out, it was 1538. There were a minimum of signs of activity from the volcano. Since then, a community of nearly 400,000 people has settled in Caldeira Campi Flegrei, and nearly 3 million people live within a radius of 20 miles.
Although this is probably a beautiful place to live, about 75 years ago, the volcano started to show signs of life.
Learn from Campi Felgrei
According to a study in May 2025 in Nature communicationsCampi Felgrei Caldera has been active for 75 years. Events such as earthquakes and an uprising on the ground have been observed.
Although there is no way to predict whether or when a volcanic eruption will occur, fortunately, Campi Flegrei is one of the most studied areas in the world. The study research team uses new technologies to monitor the internal functioning of the volcano.
Technology has helped draw the internal plumbing from the volcano and helped make spirits at ease. It seems that the disorders can be caused by the accumulation of liquid and not the rise of the magma.
It is likely that we will not see a massive volcanic eruption like those of the past of our life. However, the more experts know Campi Flegrei, the more they can be prepared in the event of a rash.
This article is a republished version of ther Article published previously.
Learn more: Is it time to start worrying about an eruption at the Flegrei Campi?
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