Scientists have been noticing signs of its awakening for a long time, and this cannot help but worry the residents of nearby areas.
The history of Campi Flegrei is known to experts. This volcano has shown its violent temper more than once, and its eruptions have been so powerful that they have affected the climate of the entire planet. One of the strongest eruptions happened 40,000 years ago, when the ash that rose into the atmosphere blocked sunlight for several years and reduced the temperature by 5 to 10 degrees Celsius across Europe.
The last eruption of Campi Phlegrei was 500 years ago, and since then the volcano has been at peace. But recently, experts have noticed signs of its awakening. The town of Pozzuoli, located on the bank of the caldera, has risen 4 meters, and 600 earthquakes were recorded in April. This indicates an increase in pressure from below and a possible crustal rupture with magma ejection.
Scientists have created a mathematical model to predict what the consequences of a Campi Flegrei eruption might be. The most pessimistic scenario foretells a planetary catastrophe that would affect millions of people in nearby areas and lead to a “nuclear winter,” toxic fallout and a tsunami threat. But doctor of geological-mineralogical sciences Pavel Plechov claims that the eruption is guaranteed not to happen in the next 3 months. After all, so far there have been no statements by scientists about the volcano’s readiness for it.
Despite the fact that there is a possibility that the eruption of Campi Flegrei will not happen, scientists still believe that precautions should be taken. After all, even a small eruption can lead to serious consequences for the environment and people. Therefore, experts continue to monitor the behavior of this giant and warn about the possible risks.
