State of the World from NPR Is Italy’s Super Volcano Getting Ready to Erupt?
Oct 10, 2025
Ruth Sherlock, an NPR correspondent reporting from the Campi Flegrei area, dives into the fascinating world of this ancient supervolcano near Naples. She discusses its mythological significance and the alarming signs of volcanic activity following centuries of dormancy. With thousands of earthquakes and visible ground uplift, the threat to local populations is clear. Sherlock highlights the challenges of evacuation, government concerns, and the use of AI in monitoring volcanic unrest, painting a vivid picture of life on the edge of a geological wonder.
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Historic Scale And Modern Risk
- The Campi Flegrei supervolcano once erupted massively, shooting out 72 cubic miles of molten rock and plunging global temperatures.
- Modern eruptions would likely be smaller but could still disrupt Europe and global air travel significantly.
People Living On A Swelling Caldera
- Hundreds of thousands live inside the Campi Flegrei crater, with about half a million in the official red evacuation zone.
- The ground has risen 4.6 feet since 2005 and is accelerating, echoing past pre-eruption uplift.
Unprecedented Tremor Activity
- Seismic activity at Campi Flegrei has surged, with up to 2,500 earthquakes in one month and shocks reaching magnitude 4.6.
- Those quakes have been strong enough to crack walls and force people from their homes.