Parts of Italian volcano ‘stretched nearly to breaking point’, study finds
Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields) near Naples is now in ‘extremely dangerous’ state, say academic experts
This could well happen. The Temple of Serapis (just by the right of that quay in the middle just to the left of that picture) was, after all, where:
A band of borings or Gastrochaenolites left by marine Lithophaga bivalve molluscs on three standing marble columns indicated that these columns had remained upright over centuries while the site sank below sea level, then re-emerged. This puzzling feature was the subject of debate in early geology, and eventually led to the identification of bradyseism in the area, showing that the Earth’s crust could be subject to gradual movement without destructive earthquakes.
And just out of picture to the top right is Monte Nuovo (and where we lived in the 70s), the first eruption recorded in modern times:
Vesuvius wiped Pompeii off the map almost two millennia ago, while the vast volcanic Campi Flegrei area near Naples last spewed lava, ashes and rocks in 1538.
To the right and behind us would be Solfatara, a big mud plain bubbling HS2. And there in the middle distance is the house the parentals lived in when Pops was Commodore of Naples (yes, Nelson’s old job, but boy was he pissed that the Admiral had moved up from Malta and taken the house that used to go with the job).
It can seem less dangerous than it is because, instead of growing into a traditional mountain, the volcano has the shape of a gentle depression 7.5-8.5 miles (12-14km) across. A resurgence of activity in the early 1980s led to the evacuation of 40,000 inhabitants, but the volcano has been relatively quiet since then.
Indeed, at exactly that time.
“We’re not saying there will be an eruption, we are saying that the conditions for an eruption are more favourable,” Christopher Kilburn from University College London told AFP.
Which is exactly what the vulcanologist from UCL said in the mid-1980s too.
Just to add to the fun, out in that bay you often enough see cooked, even burnt, fish floating on the surface. Fumaroles – bits where the crust is thin ehough that the heat comes up into the water.
It’s a lovely, lovely, gorgeous, area. That stretch from the middle distance out to that flat topped hill is where Roman Emperors had summer places (Baia, where Nero’s Mum got done in). See it while you can say I.
Also, top right hand corner is the beginnings of Arco Felice, where Sophia Loren comes from. And yes, the genetics do seem to be local. I’ve seen at least one 18 year old seeming copy there in recent years.
Relying on solar panels and windmills during a natural disaster is going to be fun, isn’t it?
It’d certainly be a real shame if Sophia Loren’s genes went the way of the Neanderthals.
Didn’t the eyeties bang up some ‘experts’ who failed to predict an eruption or earthquake a few years ago?
This bloke may be hedging his bets….
. . . a big mud plain bubbling HS2.
No wonder it costs so much.
I lived in Pozzouli when I was stationed in Napkes. Loved it, but Solfatara would stink the flat out if wind was in the wrong direction!
I hope they have gas monitors in place, connected to sirens.
HS2 becomes odourless to humans quite quickly. At higher concentrations it kills you in the same way as carbon monoxide.
these columns had remained upright over centuries while the site sank below sea level, then re-emerged.
Nah. The BBC will tell you the first was man-made climate disaster. And just won’t mention the second. BBC. All the lies that can be broadcast. It’s the unique way it’s funded.
If Campi Flegrei does pop off in previous fashion then that’ll make AD79 look like a damp squib. Expect everywhere to be covered in tens, or possibly hundreds, of metres of tufa once the pyroclastic flows stop. One positive outcome will be cramping the style of the Camorra significantly.
It will totally ruin the EU goals for net zero if it exploded so I expect Brussels to be issuing a ruling sometime soon that all Italian farming be curtailed to offset the carbon impact
Yes, the eyeties did bang up some geology professors who failed to sufficently define an earthquake that destoryed much and killed many. The Kiwis are currently doing the same to their government geologists who failed to give sufficient warning in dire enough terms of the eruption of White Island that killed and severely injured a couple of dozen tourists.
The government department concerned has recently opted to save on legal fees and has pleaded guilty.
Let’s look on the bright side. If this kicks off the sulphur ejected could lower global temperatures by a few degrees. Global warming? We fixed it!
It was a great ski season after Mt Pinutaubo blew up.
BniC. I’m shocked. Do you mean to say an Italian volcano won’t obey an EU edict?
philip. I’m sure the EU’d prosecute that volcano for polluting the atmosphere!! And demand that it provide carbon offsets.