In the early hours of Thursday, the city of Naples in southern Italy experienced a 4.4-magnitude earthquake, predominantly affecting the Phlegrean Fields area, known for its ancient volcanoes. Although the quake resulted in only minor damage, it prompted 11 individuals to be hospitalized, mainly due to injuries sustained from falling debris and broken glass when a ceiling partially collapsed.
This tremor stands as the most significant recorded in the Phlegrean Fields, matching a similar quake from May which had already heightened the awareness and precautions among local residents. The affected populace awoke to the shaking and instinctively sought safety in the streets, reminiscent of the response to the previous seismic event earlier in the year.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located just off the coast of Pozzuoli, an area bordering Naples. Mayor Gaetano Manfredi reported that due to structural damage, a church, a seven-story residential edifice, and another building have been declared unsafe, prompting the temporary closure of some educational institutions as a safety measure.
Close inspections of additional structures are underway, with Mayor Manfredi emphasizing the focus on real-time monitoring to ensure public safety. Other reported injuries include lacerations from shattered glass, highlighting the need for maintained vigilance in the urban landscape.
Seismologists have noted an uptick in seismic activity surrounding the Phlegrean Fields in recent weeks. Anticipating the possibility of a major incident, authorities had previously run emergency preparedness drills over the summer, as this region remains both seismically and volcanically charged.
The area’s terrain has risen 1.3 meters since 2006, surpassing levels observed prior to the significant event in 1984, though experts caution against predicting the timing of potential eruptions or larger tremors. Approximately 500,000 residents reside within the high-risk zone where an eruption could pose serious hazards.
In anticipation of potential future events, Italy’s national geophysics and volcanology institute has been advocating for a robust governmental strategy to ensure that infrastructure within this vulnerable region can withstand a seismic event of at least a 5.0 magnitude.
Historically, in 1984, during a series of intense seismic occurrences, 40,000 individuals were evacuated as a preventive measure, forewarning of an eruption that ultimately did not come to pass. The recent activities serve as a stark reminder of the region’s persistent volatility and the utmost need for precautionary readiness.
