One of the World’s Most Dangerous Supervolcanoes Could Erupt Sooner Than Expected

According to Volcano Discovery, Campi Flegrei is comprised of 24 craters that are easily visible from space, with much of the field lying beneath the gulf of Pozzuoli. It last erupted in 1538, producing what is known as a "super-colossal" eruption that lasted more than a week. It was considered a rather small eruption considering the caldera's violent past.

While it is impossible to predict when a volcano will erupt, certain signs can help scientists predict when an eruption might occur.

Over the course of the past nearly 70 years, three episodes of activity in the '50s, '70s and '80s were recorded that involved the movement of magma 1.8 miles beneath the surface, accompanied by small earthquakes that created uplift at the caldera.

A view from space of the many craters that comprise the Campi Flegrei caldera under Naples, Italy. The majority of the supervolcano lies under the Gulf of Pozzuoli. (NASA)
The scientists note that previous studies have determined that the ground around the Campi Flegrei has moved up to 3 inches in the past decade, while the nearby port of Pozzuoli has risen nearly 10 feet as a result of the activity. Scientists say a similar occurrence was noted before the 1538 eruption.

The scientists say the relatively recent activity is stretching the ground to the point where magma may eventually break through the crust. Previously, researchers believed the crust of the earth relaxed after each episode of activity, but this latest model proves otherwise.

In a statement, study author Christopher Kilburn, director of the UCL Hazard Centre, said based on their observations of the "cracking and moving at Campi Flegrei, we think it may be approaching a critical stage where further unrest will increase the possibility of an eruption, and it's imperative that the authorities are prepared for this.

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