Naples, February 22 – A magnitude 2.3 earthquake was recorded in the Campi Flegrei area, in the province of Naples, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The seismic event, which occurred shortly after 4:00 AM, was accompanied by a distinct ‘boom’ reported by residents in the Pozzuoli area.
Details of the Seismic Event
The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported that the earthquake struck at 04:16:27 AM. The epicentre was located in the Campi Flegrei at geographical coordinates 40.8095, 14.0887, with a depth of 4 kilometres. The INGV-OV Operations Room in Naples verified the data.
Residents described the tremor as brief but intense in some areas. The perception of its strength varied, with some describing it as ‘strong’ and others as ‘slight’.
Local Reactions and Official Statements
Shortly after the earthquake, around 5:00 AM, the Municipality of Pozzuoli issued a statement to its citizens, confirming the details of the tremor, including its magnitude and depth. The statement also noted that the event was localised in the Gulf of Pozzuoli and might have been accompanied by a ‘boom’ perceived by those closest to the epicentre.
The Municipality of Pozzuoli assured residents that no damage to property or injuries to people had been reported. They also provided contact numbers for the Municipal Police Operations Centre (081/8551891) and Civil Protection (081/18894400) for any potential reports.
Citizen Accounts from the ‘Red Zone’
The online group ‘Quelli della zona rossa del vulcano Campi Flegrei’ (Those from the red zone of the Campi Flegrei volcano) became a hub for residents sharing their experiences. Messages flooded in from 4:00 AM onwards, with over 100 immediate responses.
One resident from Via Torre di Cappella described the tremor as ‘quite long and noisy’. Another commented on a ‘strange noise… more than usual’. The earthquake was felt in various locations, including Monte di Procida, Via Napoli, Bacoli, Scalandrone, Bagnoli, and Arco Felice, highlighting the widespread nature of the perception.
Campi Flegrei: A Volcanic Area
The Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields) is a large volcanic caldera situated to the west of Naples. It is known for its bradyseism, a phenomenon of alternating uplift and subsidence of the ground, which is often accompanied by seismic activity. This latest tremor is part of the ongoing seismic activity characteristic of the area.
Local authorities and scientific institutions continuously monitor the Campi Flegrei to ensure the safety of residents and provide timely information regarding seismic and volcanic activity.
