Strongest earthquakes in four decades hit Naples
In recent times, the rising activity of volcanoes beneath the Phlegraean Fields has led to several earthquakes rocking the Naples district. These temblors are said to be the most powerful ones in four decades.
Notably, the Naples area has been hit by approximately 150 earthquakes since Monday night and early Monday morning. These quakes took place in the Phlegraean Fields, a widespread volcanic zone situated to the west of Mount Vesuvius. As per the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), a renowned scientific body, this finding was uncovered.
No significant damage has been documented as of yet, but the area's inhabitants were left rattled. A magnitude 4.4 earthquake was detected on Monday night, around 2.5 kilometers deep, as per INGV's report. Preceding this incident, earthquakes with a 3.5 magnitude had been felt, followed by a succession of aftershocks. "These are the strongest earthquakes we've had in the last four decades," remarked Maurizio Di Vito, an INGV representative.
The INGV has predicted that similar-intensity earthquakes might occur in the upcoming days. The local government's rescue services have observed cracks in buildings and various objects that had toppled. An i-Witness video uploaded later in Pozzuoli showcased bottles cascading off shelves and perpetually rolling around in a supermarket due to the jolts. Schools in the city remained shut. The mayor, Luigi Manzoni, took to Facebook to communicate that emergency shelters had been set up for local residents, who were coping with these developments.
The Phlegraean Fields are extant between the Italian cities of Pozzuoli and Naples. Of late, anxieties have been heightened owing to heightened volcanic activity due to gas emitted from the magma. Nonetheless, experts anticipate that a volcanic outburst is remote in the near term.
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- The international community is closely monitoring the seismic activity in Italy, with Naples and the surrounding areas being particularly affected by a series of earthquakes and the potential threat of volcanic eruptions in the Phlegraean Fields.
- The Italian government has requested assistance from the International Organization for Cooperation in Earthquake Engineering (IOCEE), aiming to strengthen the infrastructure in Rome and other cities that might be impacted by natural disasters, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
- The escalating volcanic activity in Italy, including the recent earthquakes near Naples, have raised concerns about potential natural disasters affecting major cities like Rome and prompting the Italian government to consider implementing worldwide earthquake preparedness and response strategies.
Source: www.ntv.de
