Understanding volcanic hazard at the most populated caldera in the world: Campi Flegrei, Southern Italy

Abstract

Naples and its hinterland in Southern Italy are one of the most urbanized areas in the worldunder threat from volcanic activity. The region lies within range of three active volcanic centers: Vesuvius,Campi Flegrei, and Ischia. The Campi Flegrei caldera, in particular, has been in unrest for six decades. Theunrest followed four centuries of quiescence and has heightened concern about an increased potential foreruption. Innovative modeling and scientific drilling are being used to investigate Campi Flegrei, and theresults highlight key directions for better understanding the mechanisms of caldera formation and the rolesof magma intrusion and geothermal activity in determining the volcano’s behavior. They also provide aframework for evaluating and mitigating the risk from this caldera and other large ones worldwide