Campi Flegrei Caldera: Groundwater Chemistry Reveals Volcanic Dynamics

A recent study sheds light on the complex mechanisms governing the Campi Flegrei caldera in Italy. Researchers analyzed the chemistry of the area's groundwater, revealing significant variability and subsurface dynamics. This data is crucial for understanding the caldera's evolution and identifying potential precursors to renewed volcanic activity.

Coordinated by Stefano Caliro, the team analyzed 114 water samples collected between 2013 and 2014, representing the first comprehensive geochemical study of the Phlegrean aquifer since 2005, the start of the current bradyseismic crisis. The study identified the coexistence of different types of groundwater, from cold meteoric waters to thermal waters enriched with volcanic gases.

The research has already impacted the monitoring of the Campi Flegrei area. A permanent water monitoring network, active since 2018 and continuously evolving, was designed and implemented based on the study's findings. This monitoring system is a key step in preventing and studying volcanic activity in the Campi Flegrei, an area known for its complex and unpredictable phenomena. The research continues, aiming to refine predictions and ensure greater safety for the region and its inhabitants.