Naples experienced a 4.4-magnitude earthquake, resulting in minor damages and 11 hospitalizations. The quake, the strongest in the Phlegrean Fields, prompted immediate evacuation of residents and safety assessments of several buildings. Authorities are calling for government intervention to strengthen structures and ensure safety in this seismically active zone with a significant population at risk.
On Thursday, the city of Naples, Italy, experienced a 4.4-magnitude earthquake, resulting in minor damages and hospitalization of 11 individuals, primarily due to contusions from a ceiling collapse. This quake is noted as the strongest recorded in the Phlegrean Fields area, which has historically been seismically active. Its occurrence echoes a similar tremor last May, prompting ongoing vigilance among the local population.
The earthquake’s epicenter was offshore from Pozzuoli, a suburb adjacent to Naples. Immediate responses saw residents evacuating to safety in the streets, recalling experiences from previous quakes. Minor structural damage was reported, leading to the temporary closure of a church, a seven-story residential building, and several schools for safety inspections, as stated by Mayor Gaetano Manfredi.
In total, 11 individuals sought medical treatment, including a woman injured from fallen debris and others with cuts from shattered glass. Increased seismic activity around the Phlegrean Fields has been observed recently, stimulating emergency preparation drills conducted last summer.
The Phlegrean Fields area is not only seismically active, but also volcanically, with the ground surface having risen 1.3 meters since 2006, exceeding previous levels before the significant 1984 seismic event. However, seismologists caution that predicting volcanic eruptions or quakes remains impossible.
Approximately 500,000 residents live in the vicinity that would be at risk in the event of a volcanic eruption. Italy’s geophysics and vulcanology institute has advocated for a government plan to reinforce buildings to withstand quakes of at least 5.0 magnitude. In the 1984 event, 40,000 residents were evacuated as a preventive measure against an anticipated eruption that ultimately did not materialize.
In summary, the recent earthquake in Naples highlights the region’s continual seismic activity, emphasizing the importance of preparedness among residents and authorities. With recent drilling practices and calls for structural fortification, the community remains vigilant against potential future threats in an area that is both volcanically and seismically active. The government and experts continue to stress the need for enhanced safety measures in this densely populated zone.
Original Source: www.pennlive.com
