The Phlegraean Fields is a vast active volcanic complex covering an area of about 200 square kilometers in the Gulf of Pozzuoli in the province of Naples. The volcanic area includes the entire municipalities of Pozzuoli, Quarto, Bacoli, and Monte di Procida. And limited to some zones or areas the municipality of Naples and Giugliano in Campania.
The Phlegraean Fields can be defined as a large caldera, formed by about 24 different volcanic centers. Unlike Vesuvius, which has only one, extending under the municipalities of the Phlegraean area.
Some of these volcanic centers have gaseous manifestations such as the Solfatara Volcano, an active crater with fumaroles and boiling mud pools.
Others are hydrothermal in nature, such as those at Agnano and Pozzuoli.
This area has been shaped by millennia of volcanic activity, which has created a series of volcanic cones, craters, hot springs and lakes of volcanic origin.
And which in recent times is focusing more attention of experts for the numerous earthquakes caused by volcanic bradyseism.
Bradyseism in the Phlegraean Fields what it is
Bradyseism affecting the Phlegraean Fields area is the slow uplift or lowering of the ground, which has been causing intense earthquakes in the Phlegraean area in recent weeks.
These continuous earthquakes, even of significant intensity, have alerted volcanologists and the public to a possible eruption of the supervolcano. Now in quiescence since 1538, with the last massive eruption that led to the formation of Monte Nuovo.
Earthquakes that are confirming the slow uplift of the ground (bradyseism) to which the cities of the Phlegraean Fields area are going. Uplift witnessed through the observation of the columns of the Temple of Serapis, partly submerged by the sea until 1983 and now completely out of the water.
This construction has on the three columns still standing, holes at various heights produced by marine mollusks, which are indicative of the sea level in the past.
Thanks to the reconstruction of the holes, it was possible to understand the impact of bradyseism on the area, which led to the slow rise of the land.
Connection between Campi Flegrei and Vesuvius?
Many people wonder whether because of their proximity the Phlegraean Fields and Vesuvius are connected.
And whether a possible eruption of the supervolcano could cause an eruption of Vesuvius as well.
In fact, although located a few kilometers apart, there is no connection of the two volcanoes, which are separated from each other.
The two volcanoes have two completely different structures.
While the Phlegraean Fields, as we have already mentioned, is a volcanic complex formed by 24 volcanic centers, which could erupt in different areas. Vesuvius, on the contrary, is a stratovolcano, formed by a single clearly visible and identified cone, from where magma escapes in the event of an eruption.
Moreover, studies conducted on the possible connection between the Phlegraean Fields and Vesuvius have ruled out a link between them. Not only because of the different structure of the volcanoes, but also because of distinct depths of the magma chambers and the different frequency and dynamics of eruptions that occurred in the past.
In fact, the eruptions that affected Vesuvius in previous years testify that there is no connection between the two.
Vesuvius, famous and world-renowned for the violent eruption in 79 A.D. That led to the destruction of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplonti and Stabia, has been the subject of several eruptions throughout history. The last was the one in 1944, also documented by the Americans, during World War II.
Eruptions that did not result in any movement of the Phlegrean Fields volcano. Which as we have already mentioned has been in a dormant state since 1538.
So a possible eruption of the latter will not result in any impact on Vesuvius, which also continues to remain in a dormant state.
