On Tuesday, a 4.4 magnitude earthquake rattled the volcanic region near Naples, sparking widespread anxiety but thankfully no immediate reports of major damage.
The tremor struck the Campi Flegrei area, a known volcanic hotspot in southern Italy, at 12:07 pm, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).
The earthquake occurred at a depth of just three kilometers and was part of a larger sequence of seismic activity.
A Series of Shaking Events and Growing Concern
The earthquake was preceded by two smaller quakes, each registering a magnitude of 2.1, and followed by another tremor measuring 3.5 about 15 minutes later.
The tremors were felt strongly in Naples and nearby Pozzuoli, where residents took to the streets in fear.
Gigi Manzoni, the mayor of Pozzuoli, took to social media to inform citizens about the ongoing seismic activity, referring to it as a “major seismic swarm.”
Though the situation understandably frightened many, Manzoni urged people to remain calm and stay in open spaces.
Precautionary Measures and No Immediate Damage
In response to the tremors, precautionary measures were taken.
The metro system in Naples and the city’s cable car services were suspended for safety reasons, but there have been no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries.
Firefighters and emergency crews have been conducting safety checks on buildings to ensure their stability.
As of now, reports suggest that while the situation remains tense, there have been no confirmed structural damages.
Seismic Activity in a Volcanic Hotspot
While earthquakes are not uncommon in this area, the Campi Flegrei region is particularly sensitive due to its volcanic act.
The area is Europe’s largest active caldera, a massive geological depression formed by a past volcanic eruption.
Stretching from the outskirts of Naples into the sea, this caldera is roughly 7.4 by 9.3 miles in size and is home to about 500,000 residents.
The region has seen an uptick in seismic activity over the past year, with many residents alarmed by the stronger tremors.
Despite the fear caused by these recent events, Mauro Di Vito, the director of INGV, reassured the public that while the situation was being closely monitored, the data did not suggest any cause for alarm.
“We must avoid panic; the data does not indicate worrying developments,” Di Vito stated.
Historical Context and Ongoing Monitoring
Seismic events in the Campi Flegrei area are not new.
The eruption that occurred here about 40,000 years ago was the most powerful in the Mediterranean.
The region saw a resurgence of seismic activity in the 1980s, prompting a mass evacuation of Pozzuoli and temporarily turning the area into a ghost town.
Experts, however, do not believe that a large-scale eruption is imminent.
This latest earthquake follows a similar event in March 2025, when a 4.4 magnitude quake caused several light injuries and damaged buildings.
The March quake was part of a broader series of tremors that shook the city for hours, with residents taking refuge in the streets.
At that time, firefighters in Pozzuoli rescued a woman trapped in the debris after her ceiling collapsed.
Meanwhile, in Bagnoli, rescuers freed people who had been trapped in their homes.
Residents React to Growing Tension in the Area
The seismic activity has left residents on edge. Social media posts from the morning after the March quake showed images of cars buried under debris, cracked buildings, and residents fleeing into the streets.
Despite the tension, authorities are stressing the importance of staying calm and continuing to monitor the situation carefully.
While the seismic activity is concerning, experts continue to maintain that the region is not at immediate risk of a catastrophic eruption.
Nevertheless, the ongoing tremors have left both locals and visitors alike on high alert, with authorities and emergency responders remaining vigilant.