Today's Edition
Rome (dpa)
The Naples area was again shaken by a series of earthquakes, with the strongest registering 3.9 in magnitude in the early hours of Monday, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).
The most intense tremor occurred at around 12:20 am (2320 GMT Sunday) in the Phlegraean Fields, a highly volcanic area just a few kilometres from the centre of the southern city. This was the second tremor with a magnitude of 3.9 to strike the area in less than 12 hours.
Over the past three days the area was struck by quakes of magnitude 2 or above at least 11 times.
There were initially no reports of damage nor injuries, but schools in the city of Pozzuoli were to stay closed on Monday as a precaution, Mayor Gigi Manzoni was quoted by Italian news agency ANSA as saying.
A new swarm of tremors began recently at the Phlegraean Fields and there have been larger earthquakes there too. It is Europe's largest active supervolcano and the area is known for its high level of volcanic activity.
Supervolcanoes are characterized by an exceptionally large magma chamber and immense force. Unlike normal volcanoes, they literally explode.
In May 2024, the area was shaken by the strongest earthquakes in 40 years, with the most intense quake measuring 4.4.
A yellow alert level has been in effect for the area for a decade, advising caution.
The Italian government introduced new measures after the May earthquakes. Plans include possible evacuations and better protecting buildings from the effects of earthquakes.
