From 19:51 local time on 20 May 2024 (UTC 17:51) an earthquake swarm is underway in the Campi Flegrei area that, until 00:31 on 21 May 2024 premises, has registered preliminarily about 150 earthquakes with Duration Magnitude (Md) ≥ 0.0 (95 localized) and one Maximum magnitude (Md) of 4.4 (±0.3).
The Md 4.4 event was the most energetic event recorded since the beginning of the current bradyseismic crisis that began in 2005. The epicenter is located inside the Solfatara at a depth of 2.6 km.
At present there is no increase in the lifting speed which is currently 2 cm/month. Still at the current state, there are no changes in the trend in horizontal deformations or local deformations of the ground different from the previous trend.
It should be remembered that during the bradyseismic crisis of 1982-84 the ground lifting reached 9 cm per month, and even 1300 seismic events per month were exceeded. Currently, however, in the last month, approximately 450 events with Md≥0.0 were recorded.
The geochemical parameters measured with continuous stations (Temperature and carbon dioxide flows) do not show significant changes compared to the trends of recent months, if not the well-known increase in temperature and pressure that characterizes the hydrothermal system.
Seismicity is not a predictable phenomenon, therefore it cannot be ruled out that other seismic events may occur, also of similar energy to what has already been recorded during the current swarm.
THE
The structures ofNational Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) dedicated to monitoring the Campi Flegrei caldera area they are always operational 24 hours a day and on May 21st measurements and sampling will be carried out at some sites in the caldera.
The INGV, with its Naples Vesuvian Observatory Section, is constantly in contact with the national and regional Civil Protection and with the Municipalities involved, as well as with all the Authorities competent for the protection of the territory.