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BOFFINS HAVE WARNED ONE OF THE WORLD'S SUPERVOLCANOES IS AWAKENING – AN ERUPTION COULD HAVE A DEVASTATING IMPACT ON THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE LIVING AROUND THE VOLCANO AND COULD BRING

GLOBAL CONSEQUENCES 15:29, 29 May 2025 Scientists have warned one of the world's supervolcanoes is awakening as seismic activity around the volcano has skyrocketed – more than 3,000

earthquakes have been recorded near the volcano in the past 6 months. This May the Phlegraean Fields, an area near the supervolcano was rattled by a magnitude 4.4 earthquake – the strongest

quake record in the area in 40 years. The supervolcano scientists are concerned about is the Campi Flegrei caldera created by a series of eruptions 10s of thousands of years ago – located

near Naples, Italy. Around 40,000 years ago, Campi Flegrei erupted causing one of the worst volcanic disasters in Earth's history. The devastating eruption went on to trigger massive

changes in the global climate – if a similar eruption was to happen today its impact would reach far beyond Italy. If an eruption happened today volcanic ash clouds would cover most of

Europe causing flights to be grounded. Sunlight could be blocked by the ash cloud causing global temperatures to cool and unpredictable weather which could threaten food supplies. Campi

Flegrei's last eruption was in 1539 and while scientists say it is impossible to predict exactly when the volcano will blow, recent volcanic activity could mean the volcano could erupt

sooner rather than later. Article continues below Boffins have recorded increased gas emissions from the volcano which often mean magma is moving closer to the surface and putting more

pressure on the volcano. If this pressure continues to build an eruption could be triggered resulting in devastating consequences for the more than four million people living in the

metropolitan area of Naples. This is increase gas emissions is due to the build up of magma and gas underground as the volcano has been rising and falling in a process called bradyseism.

This causes Earth's surface to gently swell like a balloon as magma pushes the ground up from below. This process has led to the nearby town of Pozzuoli having risen by about 4.7ft

during the current phase. Experts using a mechanical failure model have studied how the rock beneath Campi Flegrei is responding to the increased stress and have said: "We are seeing a

clear progression toward a state where rupture is more likely." Christopher R. J. Kilburn, leading volcanologist at IGNV has said: “Distinguishing between gas emissions caused by magma

movement versus those resulting from natural rock interactions is absolutely critical.” Article continues below Since rising warning signs began in 2005, officials raised the volcano's

alert level from green to yellow in 2012. Italian authorities have developed comprehensive evacuation plans for the millions living around Naples in case of potential eruption. However,

challenges remains in ensuring the plans can be executed swiftly and effectively should an eruption occur.