The continuous earthquakes that have been plaguing the Phlegraean Fields in recent months are of no small concern to the many tourists who visit Vesuvius and Italy’s largest archaeological site, Pompeii, on a daily basis.
Many are wondering if these continuous earthquakes may cause a possible imminent eruption of Vesuvius given the proximity of the two volcanoes.
The answer is clear and reassuring, the risk of an imminent eruption of Vesuvius linked to the situation in the Phlegraean Fields is to be categorically ruled out.
As mentioned in the previous article “Phlegraean Fields: is there a connection with Vesuvius?”, Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields are not connected to each other due to the different structure of the two volcanoes. Therefore, there is no danger either to the resident population or to the many tourists who flock to Pompeii and Vesuvius itself every day.
The current situation of the Phlegraean Fields is totally distinct from that of Vesuvius.
Vesuvius monitored special
Vesuvius is being monitored around the clock by the Vesuvius Observatory, Naples section of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Ingv.
And at the moment there are no phenomena indicative of a possible short-term resumption of eruptive activity.
Monitoring of Vesuvius is carried out through special instruments that measure geophysical and geochemical parameters. Such as seismicity, changes in the shape of the volcano, composition and temperature of volcanic gases. And the latest examinations have found no changes related to bradyseism and the continuous earthquakes that are affecting the Phlegraean Fields. So at present there is no danger of an imminent eruption of Vesuvius.
The volcano is currently in a dormant state characterized only by fumarolic activity and low seismicity.
This dormant state has lasted for 80 years, since the last eruption of Vesuvius in 1944, which partially destroyed Massa di Somma and San Sebastiano al Vesuvio.
Since then, the world’s most feared volcano has entered a resting phase that continues to this day.
Why Vesuvius is considered the most dangerous in the world
So why is Vesuvius known as the most dangerous Volcano in the world if it experiences such a deep state of quiescence?
Unfortunately, this dormant state of Vesuvius that has lasted for so many years is one of the reasons why the volcano is considered one of the most dangerous in the world.
In fact, the latter is famous for its violent and devastating eruptions of an explosive nature, such as the one that occurred in 79 AD. And unfortunately, this long dormant phase could result in an even more powerful eruption than that of 2,000 years ago.
But that is not the only reason; more than 3 million people live at the foot of the dangerous volcano, and a possible eruption could cause an unprecedented catastrophe. Even more terrible than the one in 79 AD that destroyed Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabia.
For this reason, Vesuvius is one of the most studied and monitored volcanoes in the world. Monitoring is essential to put in place in due time a complete evacuation of the entire population living at its foot.
So at the moment there is no danger of an imminent eruption of Vesuvius. That it does not even worry the population below its slopes, who are carefree continuing their lives. A possible eruption will be announced in advance and all the evacuation plans already filed will be put in place.
