Skip to main content

Historic Unrest of the Campi Flegrei Caldera, Italy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Campi Flegrei

Abstract

After some centuries of subsidence, following the AD 1538 Monte Nuovo last eruption, the Campi Flegrei caldera has shown unrest episodes since at least 1950. The first uplift episode dates back to 1950–1952 and amounted to 73 cm, without any report or record of seismic activity. Two strong inflation episodes occurred in 1970–1972 and 1982–1984. The first accompanied by moderate low seismicity, with only few events felt by the population, whereas the second was accompanied by relatively intense swarms of volcano-tectonic earthquakes, reaching up to magnitude 4. The seismic activity caused alarm in the population and a spontaneous nightly evacuation of part of the town of Pozzuoli (44,000 inhabitants). Since this last episode, subsidence has been recorded for several years, interrupted by some mini-uplift events, lasting several weeks and accompanied by seismic swarms of low-magnitude volcano-tectonic events. In recent years, high sensitivity instruments have been installed to detect slow earthquake transients and other mechanical/temperature low-intensity precursory signals. Since late 2004 another moderate uplift is occurring at very small rate, amounting to about 1–2 cm/year, accompanied by long-period events. This uplift is different from the past mini-uplift events due to its duration. This work summarises all seismic and ground deformation data as well as the models proposed to interpret these phenomena, suggesting possible methods for detecting precursors of future eruptive activity in the area.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Acocella V, Di Lorenzo R, Newhall C, Scandone R (2015) An overview of recent (1988 to 2014) caldera unrest: knowledge and perspectives. Rev Geophys 53(3):1–60. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015RG000492

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amoruso A, Crescentini L, Scarpa R (2000) Removing tidal and atmospheric effects from Earth deformation measurements. Geophys J Int 140:493–505. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-246X.2000.00052.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amoruso A, Crescentini L, Linde AT, Sacks IS, Scarpa R, Romano P (2007) A horizontal crack in a layered structure satisfies deformation for the 2004–2006 uplift of Campi Flegrei. Geophys Res Lett 34:L22313. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL031644

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amoruso A, Crescentini L, Sabbetta I (2014a) Paired deformation sources of the Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy) required by recent (1980–2010) deformation history. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 119:858–879. https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JB010392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amoruso A, Crescentini L, Sabbetta I, De Martino P, Obrizzo F, Tammaro U (2014b) Clues to the cause of the 2011–2013 Campi Flegrei caldera unrest, Italy, from continuous GPS data. Geophys Res Lett 41:3081–3088. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014GL059539

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amoruso A, Crescentini L, Scarpa R, Bilham R, Linde AT, Sacks IS (2015) Abrupt magma chamber contraction and microseismicity at Campi Flegrei, Italy: Cause and effect determined from strainmeters and tiltmeters. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 120:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JB012085

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arienzo I, Moretti R, Civetta L, Orsi G, Papale P (2010) The feeding system of Agnano-Monte Spina eruption (Campi Flegrei, Italy): Dragging the past into present activity and future scenarios. Chem Geol 270:135–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2009.11.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aster R, Meyer R (1988) Three-dimensional velocity structure and hypocenter distribution in the Campi Flegrei caldera, Italy. Tectonophysics 149:195–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(88)90173-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aster RC, Meyer RP, De Natale G, Zollo A, Martini M, Del Pezzo E, Scarpa R, Iannaccone G (1992) Seismic investigation of the Campi Flegrei: a summary and synthesis of results. In: Gasparini P, Scarpa R, Aki K (eds) Volcanic seismology. IAVCEI Proceedings in Volcanology, vol 3, Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, Germany. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-77008-1_28

  • Bakun WH (1984) Seismic moments, local magnitudes, and coda-duration magnitudes for earthquakes in central California. B Seismol Soc Am 74(2):439–458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barberi F, Corrado G, Innocenti F, Luongo G (1984) Phlegraean fields 1982–1984: Brief chronicle of a volcano emergency in a densely populated area. Bull Volcanol 47:175–185. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01961547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Battaglia J, Zollo A, Virieux J, Dello Iacono D (2008) Merging active and passive data sets in travel-time tomography: the case study of Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy). Geophys Prospect 56:555–573. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2478.2007.00687.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bevilacqua A, Neri A, De Martino P, Isaia R, Novellino A, D’Assisi Tramparulo F, Vitale S (2020) Radial interpolation of GPS and leveling data of ground deformation in a resurgent caldera: application to Campi Flegrei (Italy). J Geodyn 94(24):1–27. https://doi.org/10.10007/s00190-020-01355-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capuano P, Russo G, Vanorio T, Prevete R, Auger E, Bonagura M, Caielli G, Convertito V, Damiano N, D’Auria L, Emolo A, Lovisa L, Moretti M (2006) 1984 Campi Flegrei seismic waveforms compilation. In: Zollo A et al (eds) Geophysical exploration of the Campi Flegrei (Southern Italy) caldera’ interiors: data, methods and results. Doppia Voce editore, Napoli, Italy, pp 15–24. ISBN: 88–89972–04–1

    Google Scholar 

  • Casertano L, Oliveri Del Castillo A, Quagliariello MT (1976) Hydrodynamics and geodynamics in the Phlegrean Fields area of Italy. Nature 264:161–164. https://doi.org/10.1038/264161a0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castellano M, Galluzzo D, La Rocca M, Capello M (2012) Lo studio dei vulcani attivi e delle strutture crostali con reti sismiche temporanee: storia, evoluzione e prospettive della Rete Sismica Mobile dell’Osservatorio Vesuviano (INGV). In: INGV (ed) Quaderni di Geofisica, vol 97. Rome, Italy, 51 pp. ISSN:1590–2595

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiodini G, Caliro S, Cardellini C, Granieri D, Avino R, Baldini A, Donnini M, Minopoli C (2010) Long-term variations of the Campi Flegrei, Italy, volcanic system as revealed by the monitoring of hydrothermal activity. J Geophys Res 115:B03205

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiodini G, Caliro C, De Martino P, Avino R, Gherardi F (2012) Early signals of new volcanic unrest at Campi Flegrei caldera? Insights from geochemical data and physical simulations. Geology 40:943–946. https://doi.org/10.1130/G33251.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cinque A, Rolandi G, Zamparelli V (1985) L’estensione dei depositi marini olocenici nei Campi Flegrei in relazione alla vulcano-tettonica. Boll Soc Geol Ital 104(2):327–348, ISSN 0037–8763

    Google Scholar 

  • Corrado G, Guerra I, Lo Bascio A, Luongo G, Rampoldi F (1977) Inflation and microearthquake activity of Phlegraean Fields. Italy. Bull Volcanol 40(3):169–188. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02596998

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Currenti G, Zuccarello L, Bonaccorso A, Sicali A (2017) Borehole volumetric strainmeter calibration from a nearby seismic broadband array at Etna volcano. J Geophys Res 122:7229–7738. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JB014663

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Auria L, Giudicepietro F, Aquino I, Borriello G, Del Gaudio C, Lo Bascio D, Martini M, Ricciardi GP, Ricciolino P, Ricco C (2011) Repeated fluid transfer episodes as a mechanism for the recent dynamics of Campi Flegrei caldera (1989–2010). J Geophys Res 116:B04313. https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JB007837

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Martino P, Guardato S, Donnarumma GP, Dolce M, Trombetti T, Chierici F, Macedonio G, Beranzoli L, Iannaccone G (2020) Four years of continuous seafloor displacement measurements in the Campi Flegrei caldera. Front Earth Sci-Switz 8:615168. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.615178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Natale G, Zollo A (1986) Statistical analysis and clustering features of the Phlegrean Fields earthquake sequence (May 1983–May 1984). B Seismol Soc Am 76(3):801–814

    Google Scholar 

  • De Natale G, Zollo A, Ferraro A, Virieux J (1995) Accurate fault mechanism determinations for a 1984 earthquake swarm at Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy) during an unrest episode: implications for volcanological research. J Geophys Res 100(B12):24167–24185. https://doi.org/10.1029/95JB00749

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Siena L, Del Pezzo E, Bianco F (2010) Seismic attenuation imaging of Campi Flegrei: evidence of gas reservoirs, hydrothermal basins, and feeding systems. J Geophys Res 115:B09312. https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JB006938

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Gaudio C, Aquino I, Ricciardi GP, Ricco C, Scandone R (2010) Unrest episodes at Campi Flegrei: A reconstruction of vertical ground movements during 1905–2009. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 195:48–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2010.05.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Pezzo E, De Natale G, Martini M, Zollo A (1987) Source parameters of microearthquakes at Phlegrean Fields (Southern Italy) volcanic area. Phys Earth Planet in 47:25–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9201(87)90064-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Lieto B, Romano P, Bilham R, Scarpa R (2021) Aseismic strain episodes at Campi Flegrei caldera, Italy. Adv Geosci 52:119–129. https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-52-119-2021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Renzo V, Civetta L, D’Antonio M, Tonarini S, Di Vito MA, Orsi G (2011) The magmatic feeding system of the Campi Flegrei caldera: architecture and temporal evolution. Chem Geol 281:227–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2010.12.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Vito MA, Isaia R, Orsi G, Southon J, de Vita S, D’Antonio M, Pappalardo L, Piochi M (1999) Volcanism and deformation since 12,000 years at the Campi Flegrei caldera. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 91:221–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-0273(99)00037-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Vito M, Acocella V, Aiello G, Barra D, Battaglia M, Carandente A, Del Gaudio C, de Vita S, Ricciardi GP, Ricco C, Scandone R, Terrasi F (2016) Magma transfer at Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy) before the 1538 AD eruption. Sci Rep 6:32245. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep32245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaudiosi G, Iannaccone G (1984) A preliminary study of stress pattern at Phlegrean Fields as inferred from focal mechanism. Bull Volcanol 47:225–232. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01961552

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gottsmann J, Folch A, Rymer H (2006) Unrest at Campi Flegrei: A contribution to the magmatic versus hydrothermal debate from inverse and finite element modeling. J Geophys Res 111:B07203. https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JB003745

  • Guidoboni E, Ciuccarelli C (2011) The Campi Flegrei caldera: historical revision and new data on seismic crises, bradyseisms, the Monte Nuovo eruption and ensuing earthquakes (twelfth century 1582 AD). Bull Volcanol 73:655–677. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-010-0430-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hart RHG, Gladwin MT, Gwyther RL, Agnew DC, Wyatt FK (1996) Tidal calibration of borehole strain meters: removing the effect of small-scale inhomogeneity. J Geophys Res 101(B11):25,553–25,571. doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1029/96JB02273

  • Imbò G (1977) Seismic prediction at Pozzuoli. Nature 227:211. https://doi.org/10.1038/277511b0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imbò G (1980) Ancora sulla crisi bradisismica puteolana del 1970. Acc Pontaniana 29:53–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Judenherc S, Zollo A (2004) The Bay of Naples (Southern Italy): Constraints on the volcanic structures inferred from a dense seismic survey. J Geophys Res 109:B10312. https://doi.org/10.1029/2003JB002876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • La Rocca M, Galluzzo D (2012) A seismic array in the Town of Pozzuoli in Campi Flegrei (Italy). Seism Res Lett 83(1):86–96. https://doi.org/10.1785/gssrl.83.1.86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lima A, Vivo BD, Spera FJ, Bodnar RJ, Milia A, Nunziata C, Belkin HE, Cannatelli C (2009) Thermodynamic model for uplift and deflation episodes (bradyseism) associated with magmatic–hydrothermal activity at the Campi Flegrei (Italy). Earth-Sci Rev 97:44–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2009.10.001

  • Lomax A, Virieux J, Volant P, Berge C (2000) Probabilistic earthquake location in 3D and layered models: introduction of a Metropolis-Gibbs method and comparison with linear locations. In: Thurber CH, Rabinowitz N (eds) Advances in seismic event location. Kluwer, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, pp 101–134

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Longo A, Papale P, Vassalli M, Saccorotti G, Montagna CP, Cassioli A, Giudice S, Boschi E (2011) Magma convection and mixing dynamics as a source of Ultra-Long-Period oscillations. Bull Volcanol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-011-0570-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazzini A, Svensen H, Akhmanov GG, Aloisi G, Planke S, Melthe-Sorenssen A, Istadi B (2007) Triggering and dynamic evolution of the LUSI mud volcano, Indonesia. Earth Planet Sci Lett 261:375–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2007.07.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minakami T (1960) Fundamental research for predicting volcanic eruptions. Part I. Bull Earthq Res Inst, Tokyo University 38:497–544

    Google Scholar 

  • Moretti R, Arienzo I, Orsi G, Civetta L, D’Antonio M (2013) The deep plumbing system of the Ischia island (southern Italy): a physico-chemical and geodynamic window on the fluid-sustained and CO2-dominated magmatic source of Campanian volcanoes. J Petrol 54(5):951–984. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egt002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orsi G, D’Antonio M, de Vita S, Gallo G (1992) The Neapolitan Yellow Tuff, a large-magnitude trachytic phreatoplinian eruption: eruptive dynamics, magma withdrawal and caldera collapse. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 53:275–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-0273(92)90086-S

  • Orsi G, de Vita S, Di Vito M (1996) The restless, resurgent Campi Flegrei nested caldera (Italy): constraints on its evolution and configuration. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 74(3–4):179–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-0273(96)00063-7

  • Orsi G, Civetta L, Del Gaudio C, de Vita S, Di Vito MA, Isaia R, Petrazzuoli SM, Ricciardi GP, Ricco C (1999) Short-term deformations and seismicity in the resurgent Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy): an example of active block-resurgence in a densely populated area. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 91:415–451. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-0273(99)00050-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orsi G, Di Vito MA, Isaia R (2004) Volcanic hazard assessment at the restless Campi Flegrei caldera. Bull Volcanol 66:514–530. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-003-0336-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orsi G, Di Vito M, Selva J, Marzocchi W (2009) Long-term forecast of eruption style and size at Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy). Earth Planet Sci Lett 287:265–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eps1.2009.08.013

  • Reasenberg P, Oppenheimer D (1985) FPFIT, FPPLOT and FPPAGE: Fortran computer programs for calculating and displaying earthquake fault-plane solutions. US Geol Surv Open File Rep 739:109

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricco C, Aquino I, Del Gaudio C (2003): Ground tilt monitoring at Phlegraean Fields (Italy): a methodological approach. Ann Geophys 46(6):1297–1314

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricco C, Aquino I, Borgstrom S, Del Gaudio C (2007) A study of tilt change recorded from July to October 2006 at the Phlegrean Fields (Naples, Italy). Ann Geophys 50(5):661–674. https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-3059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saccorotti G, Bianco F, Castellano M, Del Pezzo E (2001) The July-August 2000 seismic swarms at Campi Flegrei volcanic complex. Italy. Geophys Res Lett 28(13):2525–2528. https://doi.org/10.1029/2001GL013053

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saccorotti G, Petrosino S, Bianco F, Castellano M, Galluzzo D, La Rocca M, Del Pezzo E, Zaccarelli L, Cusano P (2007) Seismicity associated with the 2004–2006 renewed round uplift at Campi Flegrei caldera, Italy. Phys Earth Planet in 165:14–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pepi.2007.07.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scarpa R, Amoruso A, Crescentini L, Linde AT, Sacks IS, Del Pezzo E, Martini M (2000) Forecasting volcanic eruptions: the case of Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei. In: Boschi E, Ekstrom G, Morelli A (eds) Problems in geophysics for the new millennium. Compositori, Bologna, Italy, pp 13–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Scarpa R, Amoruso A, Crescentini L, Romano P, De Cesare W, Martini M, Scarpato G, Linde AT, Sacks SI (2007) New borehole strain system detects uplift at Campi Flegrei. EOS Trans AGU 88(18):197–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pepi.2007.07.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Snoke JA, Munsey JW, Teague AG, Bollinger GA (1984) A program for focal mechanism determination by combined use of polarity and Sv-P amplitude ratio data. Earthquake Notes 55(3):15–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamura Y, Sato T, Ooe M, Ishiguro M (1991) A procedure for tidal analysis with a Bayesian information criterion. Geophys J Int 104(3):507–516. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.1991.tb05697.x

  • Tazieff H (1971) Petit discourse à propos de la panique qui eut lieu a Pozzuoli a l’occasion du Bradisismo Flegreo. Stromboli, Italy

    Google Scholar 

  • Tazieff H (1977) La Soufrière, volcanology and forecasting. Nature 269:9. https://doi.org/10.1038/269096a0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troiano A, Di Giuseppe MG, Petrillo Z, Troise C, De Natale G (2011) Ground deformation at calderas driven by fluid injection: modelling unrest episodes at Campi Flegrei (Italy). Geophys J Int 187:833–847. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2011.05149.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troise C, Pingue F, De Natale G (2003) Coulomb stress change at calderas: modelling the seismicity of Campi Flegrei (Southern Italy). J Geophys Res 108:2292. https://doi.org/10.10291/2002J13002006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanorio T, Virieux J, Capuano P, Russo G (2005) Three-dimensional seismic tomography from P wave and S wave microearthquake travel times and rock physics characterization of the Campi Flegrei caldera. J Geophys Res 110:B03201. https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JB003102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yokoyama I (1971) Pozzuoli event in 1970. Nature 229:532–533. https://doi.org/10.1038/229532a0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yokoyama I (1988) Seismic energy release from volcanoes. Bull Volcanol 50:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01047504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zollo A, Judenherc S, Virieux J, Makris J, Auger E, Capuano P, Chiarabba C, De Franco R, Michelini A, Musacchio G (2003) Evidence for the buried rim of Campi Flegrei caldera from 3-d active seismic imaging. Geophys Res Lett 30(19), doi:https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GL018173

  • Zollo A, Maercklin N, Vassallo M, Dello Iacono D, Virieux J, Gasparini P (2008) Seismic reflections reveal a massive melt layer feeding Campi Flegrei caldera. Geophys Res Lett 35:L12306. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL034242

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roberto Scarpa .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Scarpa, R. et al. (2022). Historic Unrest of the Campi Flegrei Caldera, Italy. In: Orsi, G., D'Antonio, M., Civetta, L. (eds) Campi Flegrei. Active Volcanoes of the World. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-37060-1_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics