A Shallow but Violent Quake Rocks Campi Flegrei
On March 13, 2025, at 00:25 UTC (01:25 LT), a shallow earthquake of M4.4 magnitude hit Italy’s Campi Flegrei region. The INGV (National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology) registered it at just 2 km (1.2 miles) depth, making the shaking feel even more intense.
This wasn’t just another tremor—experts confirmed it matched the strongest event in 40 years, with unprecedented ground accelerations suggesting greater intensity. The Vesuvius Observatory warned that this was no ordinary quake, while USGS and EMSC reported slightly different magnitudes (4.2) and depths (10 km / 3 km).
Epicenter Close to Densely Populated Areas
The epicenter was dangerously close to key towns:
- 3 km ESE of Bacoli (population 25,590)
- 6 km SE of Pozzuoli (population 81,661)
- 9 km W of Naples (population 974,074)
Aftershocks followed immediately—1.6 at 01:40 UTC, then 1.1 at 03:26 UTC. Seismic activity here isn’t new, but the ongoing swarm (over 20 earthquakes since onset) has locals fearing the worst.
Chaos in Naples: Collapsed Buildings and Panic
The quake caused panic—residents rushed into streets, terrified as walls crumbled and debris from buildings like Sant’Anna church’s bell tower smashed onto parked cars. In Bagnoli, a woman sustained minor injuries from a collapsed false ceiling, while others were trapped by jammed doors.
The former NATO base, turned emergency shelter, saw tension as citizens forced gates open for refuge. Police intervened diplomatically, but the fear was palpable.
Schools Shut, Inspections Underway
Authorities closed schools in Naples’ X Municipality, Bagnoli, and Fuorigrotta for structural inspections. Mayor Josi Gerardo Della Ragione personally checked Bacoli’s schools, confirming safety, while firefighting teams prioritized high-risk structures.
Why This Quake Feels Different
- Unrest since 2024: Over 3,500 earthquakes rattled the region.
- Bradyseism warning: The ground uplift (15 cm in 6 months) hints at magma rising.
- Toxic gas leaks: CO₂ and SO₂ seeped into low-lying homes, causing dizziness, nausea.
Campi Flegrei’s Deadly History
This supervolcano last erupted in 1538, forming Monte Nuovo crater. Now, scientists warn its 13-kilometer-wide depression is weakening, with magma just meters from critical pressure.
Evacuation Plans—But Is Naples Ready?
- 500,000+ people live in the danger zone.
- Shelters outdated, roads prone to cracking.
- Pyroclastic flows could engulf towns in seconds.
Global Threat: A Supervolcano Awakening
If Campi Flegrei erupts, expect:
- Ash blanketing Southern Europe
- Flights grounded continent-wide
- Tsunami-like shockwaves in the Mediterranean
