After Naples, Italy’s strongest earthquake in 40 years, a recent magnitude 4.0 quake caused minor building damage but no injuries. On September 27, a 4.2-magnitude quake reached Rome. These quakes happened in Campi Flegrei, an area with ancient volcanoes and frequent shaking. Campi Flegrei is beneath the Bay of Naples, Ischia, and Capri and is known for ground movements called bradyseism. The last big eruption was in 1538, changing the land. In 2023, almost 3,000 earthquakes were recorded, leading INGV’s Carlo Doglioni to share two scenarios with the government: one where the ground settles, like in 1983–84, and another with a major eruption, like 1538. The situation is closely watched.

Because of these things, INGV says people who live near the volcanoes should leave their homes for a while to check if their buildings are safe. Many of these buildings were built in the last 20 years. Around 800,000 people live in the “yellow zone” and 500,000 in the “red zone,” which is the riskiest area near earthquakes and volcanoes. People who live there want a new plan to leave if the volcano explodes.