Europe's Largest Supervolcano Is Stirring

Campi Flegrei (the Phlegraean Fields) is a large volcanic caldera west of Naples that is often called a supervolcano. It contains about 24 craters and volcanic structures, some of which lie beneath the waters of the Gulf of Pozzuoli. The last eruption here was in 1538, when Monte Nuovo grew in just a few days.

The ground around Pozzuoli periodically rises and falls, a phenomenon known as bradyseism. The current phase of uplift has been going on since 2005 and is accompanied by swarms of earthquakes. In autumn 2023 the strongest tremor in 40 years up to that point occurred, and in 2024-2025 earthquakes of magnitude above 4 were recorded.

The volcano is monitored around the clock by Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). The Phlegraean Fields are on yellow alert, and civil protection has an evacuation plan in case the danger increases. Scientists stress that increased seismic activity does not mean an eruption will necessarily happen soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to travel to Naples now?

Naples, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast and the islands of the Bay of Naples are operating as normal. Before your trip, check Italian civil protection updates on the Phlegraean Fields.