The Phlegraean Fields supervolcano near Naples is in the spotlight as increased seismic activity raises concerns about a potential eruption. For over a month, the area has experienced a surge of earthquakes, culminating in a powerful tremor on March 16, 2025, which prompted panic and unrest among local residents.
On that fateful day, the quake, which led to a stark awakening for many, drove desperate citizens into the streets of Pozzuoli. Heated discussions broke out, with some encounters escalating to physical confrontations, as captured by local media. As a precarious precaution, authorities evacuated 187 apartments in Naples, citing concerns over potential structural collapse.
Amidst this turmoil, citizens took their frustration to the streets on March 16, staging a dramatic protest. Five demonstrators donned shrouds and laid down on the pavement, holding a banner that boldly proclaimed, “Pozzuoli organizes itself. We want safety.” Their demands were clear: they urged officials to elevate the region's alert status from yellow to orange, allow for government-funded evacuations, or provide compensation for homes rendered uninhabitable.
Italy’s chief of civil protection, Fabio Ciciliano, faced mounting dissatisfaction from locals. He firmly dismissed calls for evacuation, stating, “An evacuation is only and exclusively planned for a volcanic eruption.” His previous comments had also raised eyebrows when he warned that an earthquake of magnitude 5 could lead to fatalities. Residents confronted him about the danger, expressing profound concern over the dire potential for loss of life.
Currently, residents also deal with the disconcerting ramifications of land rise in the region. Measurements indicate this is escalating to three centimeters per month, complicating maritime access as ships struggle to dock at the port of Pozzuoli. Additionally, emissions of CO2 and hydrogen sulfide from the supervolcano have increased, heightening the anxiety of nearby inhabitants.
In response to the escalating fears, the National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) put forth a statement attempting to soothe burgeoning worries regarding an imminent eruption. They reported that current data does not suggest immediate volcanic activity. Researchers emphasized, “Although we have been recording fluctuating and variable, yet persistent variations in some parameters like the speed of ground deformation and CO2 emissions, other parameters captured by the monitoring system do not indicate a forthcoming eruption.” This assertion was critical in light of persistent fears about what lies beneath the surface.
The INGV further clarified that there are currently no seismic signals pointing to magma movement towards the surface. As seismicity continues due to ongoing ground uplift, they acknowledged that earthquakes of various magnitudes will likely occur. Past records from the 1970s and 1980s reveal that significant earthquakes struck on October 4, 1983, and March 14, 1984, both registering a magnitude of 4.0. Comparatively, a recent tremor measured a more intense magnitude of 4.4, raising alarm among scientists and residents alike.
Historically, the land in Pozzuoli has undergone striking elevation changes, with ground levels rising as much as 3.55 meters during crises in the 70s and 80s. Today, however, uplift is happening at an alarming pace, with recent findings showing a surge up to 30 millimeters per month.
Reflecting on past volcanic activity, the last significant eruption in the Phlegraean Fields occurred in 1638, where the ground slowly rose for two years before dramatically rising by 19 meters in just 30 hours prior to the eruption. This history fuels public anxiety about current conditions.
If a volcanic eruption does occur, experts expect an evacuation timeframe of only 72 hours—an estimate that many residents fear may be insufficient given the lack of practical rehearsals under realistic conditions. Their concerns are compounded by the threat of CO2 emissions, which present lurking dangers of suffocation, especially highlighted by recent reports of dead fish being caught by fishermen who found them boiled by underwater hot springs.
As protests continue and tremors persist, residents remain on edge, clinging to the hope that precautionary measures will be taken swiftly. In a recent message, a concerned citizen queried the INGV on the signs preceding an eruption. The answer was unequivocal: seismic waves should exhibit distinct patterns, temperatures at fumaroles should shift, and new cracks should emerge indicating volcanic activity. Nevertheless, overall readings at the monitoring stations remain stable for now.
As the community navigates uncertain times, historical context plays a crucial role in encouraging vigilance while hoping for calmer days. Stakeholders, including local hotel owners, wish for a return to normalcy where tourists can safely explore the stunning landscape that includes the Phlegraean Fields.
At this critical juncture, Italy grapples with an age-old dynamic of balancing natural wonder with community safety, fueling an urgent dialogue on preparedness amidst one of nature's most formidable geological features. The current situation underscores the complexities of living near a supervolcano, where heightened awareness is essential, but where the promise of artistic and natural beauty remains an enduring allure.
