Earthquakes near Naples raise fears of increased volcanic activity

A volcanic area on the outskirts of the southern Italian city of Naples has been the site of multiple earthquakes in recent days, raising fears among experts that the tremors could prompt dangerous volcanic activity, reported Xinhua.

The Campi Flegrei area northwest of Naples was the site of a 4.0 magnitude earthquake late on Monday, with a series of less powerful aftershocks that lasted into Tuesday. These came on the heels of a 4.2 magnitude quake on Sept. 27. According to news reports, there have been more than 100 seismic events since then.

For many in the area, the events recalled a long series of mid-level earthquakes near the town of Pozzuoli on Sept. 4 and again on Oct. 4 in 1983 -- almost exactly 40 years ago -- that significantly altered the height and shape of the area's main volcano, Monte Nuovo. Those tremors, which also measured 4.0 on the Richter Scale, downed telephone and electrical networks, damaged buildings and prompted hundreds of people to move from the area for good.

The area has been the site of a series of seismic and volcanic events over its history, most significantly in 1538, when a combination of earthquakes and small volcanic eruptions created Monte Nuovo, or "New Mountain."

Though a tremor measuring 4.2 on the Richter Scale is not considered severe, the developments are attracting the attention of experts because of the volcanic volatility of the area.

Reports said this week's earthquake resulted in rubble tumbling from several buildings and sent residents running into the streets. Many of them refused to return to their homes, sleeping instead on sidewalks and parks. Schools were closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure.

Volcanologists began warning of the risks of a new bradyseismic crisis after the Sept. 27 earthquakes and on Tuesday government officials made similar calls.

The term "bradyseismic crisis" refers to a period of endogenous activity marked by "swarms" of seismic movement that can result in ground uplift and increased volcanic activity.

"We cannot say there is zero risk," Nello Musumeci, Italy's minister for civil protection and sea policies, said in a televised interview. "We are monitoring the situation and we believe the tremors will continue and we need to stay alert." The minister said the government would soon issue an emergency decree for the area.

Meanwhile, Gigi Manzoni, mayor of Pozzuoli, called for evacuation tests to be carried out in the coming days in case the situation worsens.

The area around Naples has multiple volcanic hot spots in what is called the "Campanian volcanic arc," including Mount Vesuvius. With about 5.8 million people in the region of Campania, the area is one of the most densely populated volcanic regions in the world.