Volcanoes Erupting All Over

Campi Flegrei, Pozzuoli - Italy
25 Feb 2025

Here comes an article from Vulcane.net revolving the whereabouts at the unsettled Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields) near Napoli, Italy - talking about the accelerated ground lift during the very recent earthquake swarms of February 2025.



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Acceleration of ground uplift in the Campi Flegrei
proven during the earthquake swarm


The southern Italian caldera volcano has been doing “business as usual” over the last 3 days, meaning that it has reduced seismicity to the known level of the current uplift phase. The inhabitants of the caldera are slowly recovering from their shock and are trying to go about their lives with as much normality as possible.

Nevertheless, there are always conferences and citizens' meetings with specialists. This was also the case yesterday evening, when a discussion was held in Agnano, attended not only by residents of the westernmost Neapolitan district bordering the Campi Flegrei, but also by senior representatives of civil protection and the mayor.

Hippodrome of Agnano
The decision was taken to set up a waiting area in the Hippodrome of Agnano where worried citizens can stay during an earthquake swarm if they do not trust their houses and are afraid that they could collapse in the event of a stronger earthquake. Of course, the waiting areas are also intended for people to gather here before an evacuation.

They start to realize...
Those responsible are probably also beginning to realize that in the event of a volcanic eruption, there may not be weeks beforehand to initiate appropriate measures and that it is necessary to start creating appropriate structures. The swarm earthquake last week once again highlighted the seriousness of the situation.


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As published today in the weekly bulletin of the INGV
for the observation period February 17 to 23, a balance sheet was once again drawn up, which makes it clear that the swarm earthquake was an event of superlatives: 692 tremors were recorded between February 15 and 19. 610 quakes had a magnitude greater than zero.

Right at the beginning of the swarm, the ground uplift accelerated significantly and in the first two days 10 mm were added; as much as the ground usually rises in a month. This makes it obvious that the ground uplift was the trigger for the earthquake swarm. If you look at the unadjusted measured values, you can see that the ground initially lifted by up to 25 mm, but then the ground uplift dropped back at the end of the phase. I do not know whether these were actual soil movements or whether it was a metrological effect.

The researchers could not detect any change in the gas output, which actually surprises me, especially if you believe the theory that the ground uplift was caused by fluids, i.e. gas and aqueous solutions, which penetrated the hydrothermal system.

The gas temperature of the Pisciarelli fumarole was 97 degrees and thus above the condensation point of 95 degrees.

Little understood and very complex
If you read the statements of various researchers on the processes in the Campi Flegrei in the local press, you realize how little the processes of the alleged bradyseism are understood and how complex they can be. What I find astonishing is the repeatedly emphasized statement that for centuries there has been an eternal up and down of the ground, which has always been accompanied by periods of increased seismic activity. According to geophysicist Giuseppe De Natale, however, the phases known as bradyseismos only occurred a few decades before and after the last two eruptions. In the same way, people always refer to the fact that before the Monte Nuovo eruption [from Sept 29 - Oct 6, 1538], the ground is said to have risen by up to 17 meters within a few months before the eruption occurred.

Although it is all very well to recognize certain patterns in the processes of nature, no one says that they must always repeat themselves in exactly the same way. You don't have to look far in Pozzuoli to see that, because a glance at Mount Etna shows that pattern recognition can be smoke and mirrors.


END OF ARTICLE
 
Campi Flegrei, Pozzuoli - Italy
4 Mar 2025

While the Santorini crisis has wound down, Campi Flegrei near Napoli continues to make headlines. This time it revolves around too high concentrations of CO2 in some of the poorly ventilated basements.

German Vulkane.net has written an article as follow:


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Elevated carbon dioxide levels in cellars of the Campi Flegrei
- Sports Institute temporarily closed


We have almost become accustomed to the numerous earthquakes in the Campi Flegrei, but now there is another problem: in the last week of February, increased carbon dioxide concentrations were measured in some poorly ventilated cellars in Pozzuoli. The Civil Defence consulted with scientists to assess the situation and drew up a map of the affected areas.

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Now an increased concentration of the odourless gas has also been detected in another building - this time in the sports hall of the ‘Virgilio’ school institute in Pozzuoli. Following a fire brigade operation, the municipality of Pozzuoli ordered the closure of the entire school as a precautionary measure.

The justification for the closure refers to Ordinance No. 65 of the Municipality of Pozzuoli, which probably provides for corresponding measures. In addition to the gym, other rooms on the ground floor were also affected. There is talk of a slight exceedance of the CO₂ limits, without making precise reference to the measured values.

The closure took place on 1 March as a precautionary measure in order to carry out further investigations during the carnival holidays. If it is confirmed that the safety values have been exceeded, the installation of fixed CO₂ detectors with audible and visual alarms will be arranged.

It was announced today that no other schools are affected and that this one facility will remain closed. It has also been revealed that criminals are now operating in Pozzuoli, gaining access to buildings by pretending to need to take carbon dioxide measurements.

It can be assumed that the increased carbon dioxide concentrations are linked to the strong earthquake swarm that began on 15 February.

After a few quieter days, seismic activity is currently increasing again. Around 60 earthquakes have been recorded since 1 March, most of them under the Solfatara area and in an area to the north-west of the crater. There is no sign of the situation easing.

More and more scientists are now assuming that a magma body is located at a depth of less than five kilometres.


END OF ARTICLE
 
Montagne Pelée, Martinique
8 March 2025

It's been a while we've heard from the infamous Pelée volcano.


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Increase in seismic activity detected under Montagne Pelée
- 27 quakes in one week

Seismic activity under Montagne Pelée, an active stratovolcano on the Caribbean island of Martinique, continues to show a slight increase. However, even though the number of registered earthquakes has doubled, seismic activity remains moderate overall. A new eruption is not expected in the short term, but things may look different in the long term.

According to the latest weekly report from the Observatoire Volcanologique et Sismologique de Martinique (OVSM), a total of 27 volcanotectonic earthquakes with low magnitudes in the microseismicity range were recorded during the observation period between 28 February and 7 March 2025. None of the recent earthquakes were felt by the population. These seismic events occurred in a known active zone of the volcano at a depth of between 1,000 and 1,400 metres below the summit.

Volcanotectonic earthquakes are caused by fluid uplift, which causes microfractures in the rock. These quakes have been occurring at Montagne Pelée for seven years and are linked to the slow heating of the volcano.

In the previous week, the OVSM recorded twelve earthquakes caused by volcanic activity. This brings the total number of earthquakes recorded over the past four weeks to 41, which corresponds to a weekly average of 10 to 11 events.

During phases of volcanic reactivation, as can occur with stratovolcanoes such as Montagne Pelée, it is common for seismic activity to vary in both frequency and intensity.

Currently, the alert level remains at ‘yellow’, which means that the volcano could erupt soon, but there is no immediate danger to the population yet.

8 May 1902
Montagne Pelée became world-famous for its catastrophic eruption on 8 May 1902 [early morning] , when large pyroclastic flows wiped out the town of Saint-Pierre. This eruption is considered one of the deadliest of the 20th century: of the town's 28,000 inhabitants, only two people survived, including the prisoner Ludger Sylbaris, who was in a windowless cell.

The eruption was so characteristic that a separate type of eruption was named after it: the Peléan eruption, which is characterised by sideways-directed explosions.


END OF ARTICLE

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Today's Montagne Pelée volcano seen together with the town of St Pierre in the distance.






Over the years
I have been collecting images from various volcanoes, including photos made after the extreme devastating eruption in 1902 which destroyed the town of St. Pierre on the island of Martinique.

Most of the photos (with beige frames) were taken around 14 May 1902, e.g. 6 days after the peak eruption of Montagne Pelée.
It should be noted, that several more eruptions occurred during months later.

At the same time, on 7 May 1902 - only one day before Pelée erupted - another major, devastating eruption had occurred on
Soufriere** on St. Vincent (2 islands away) It was believed back then, that it "relived" the increasingly unsettled Pelée volcano and would easen the danger of an eruption. Pelée had sent out many, highly unsettling signs during previous weeks/months. Due to the Soufriere volcano's eruption on 7 May 1902, no evacuation where being done for St Pierre.

Which we know, was a fatal conclusion

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The ruins of St Pierre (and the entire bay) are faintly visible behind the man (a photographer) standing.

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The top of Montagne Pelée volcano lies in the upper right corner, shrouded in clouds

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It looks to me, that the boat left in a hurry, as another "nuée ardente" [Glowing avalanche / Glowing fire) rolled down the slopes of Pelée. (As it happened numerous times after the initial eruption on 8 May 1902)


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Refugees (from other parts of Martinique) arriving at the island of St Lucia (which lies south of Martinique and north of St. Vincent)



Soufriere** Volcano, May 1902

Here you see aftermath photo from the other, Soufriere Volcano eruption after 7 May 1902.


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May 1902 • La Soufriere volcano; Wallibu river valley filled with pyroclastic flow deposits, craters are from secondary steam explosions.
 
Fuego, Guatemala
10 Mar 2025


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Fuego generates paroxysm - lava fountains,
towering ash cloud and pyroclastic flows reported


In Guatemala, the Fuego is putting in a mighty effort and is living up to its name: a constant lava fountain is emanating from the fire volcano, rising several hundred metres high and covering the slope with glowing tephra. An ash cloud is also produced which, according to INSIVUMEH, rises to a height of 7000 metres above sea level and drifts mainly in a westerly direction. The wind fans out the eruption cloud so that it spreads over a large area and even extends out to the Pacific. In towns and villages that fall under the ash cloud, there is heavy ash fallout.



The paroxysm was already in the offing yesterday, as the volcano periodically produced strong strombolian eruptions that lasted for several minutes after a dormant phase lasting a good 40 days.

Tonight, the Livecam view was occasionally overcast, but through a small hole in the clouds just before midnight it was possible to see that the paroxysm was slowly beginning. MIROVA registered a very high thermal radiation with a power of 3650 MW. The associated signal is elongated and it could be that a lava flow is also travelling on the western flank.

If this is not the case, then the emitted red-hot tephra is increasingly flowing across the volcano flank in the form of a debris flow.

The civil protection authority CONRED has issued several bulletins on the current activity and warns of pyroclastic flows travelling through the Las Lajas, El Jute, Seca and Ceniza gorges.

Remember 2018 ?
This particularly dangerous volcanic phenomenon is currently subsiding somewhat. Nevertheless, concerned residents living near the volcano are likely to remember the events of 2018, when large pyroclastic flows were released during a paroxysm and reached inhabited areas. The problem is that these can now occur at any time and without further warning, and as they sometimes move faster than a car, it is difficult to escape. It is certainly a difficult situation for the authorities and the population, and the question arises: evacuate or stay?

Watch live stream
(high quality ! At times stunning volcanic ambience, with beautifully tranquil bird sounds)



CONRED already advised the residents of the volcano yesterday to be particularly careful and to pack an emergency bag with the most important things in life. This should contain enough material to last 72 hours away from home. Teams are still on site now and are looking after people. It is essential to follow the recommendations of the specialists.


END OF ARTICLE
 
Campi Flegrei, Pozzuoli - Southern Italy
13 March 2025

It just doesn't look good, and God knows, how many signs the people need in the area of Pozzuoli before something far more drastic happens in the region...


Date 13 March 2025 | Time: 00:25:02 UTC | Coordinates: 40.8175 ; 14.1490 | Depth: 2.5 km | ML 4.4

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Moderately strong earthquake at shallow depth shook Campi Flegrei
- damage in Pozzuoli

The Caldera volcano in southern Italy remains restless and is producing a rapidly increasing ground uplift that triggers earthquakes. Tonight, at 00:25 UTC (local time 01:25), one of the strongest quakes occurred during the current uplift phase. It had a magnitude of 4.4 and a shallow hypocenter at a depth of 2.5 kilometers. The epicentre was located just off the coast near the Via Napoli road in eastern Pozzuoli and a few hundred meters southeast of the Solfatara crater.

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The quake was part of a stronger earthquake swarm and could be felt beyond Pozzuoli.
Perceptions were also reported from Naples. Although it was a medium-strong quake in the lower intensity spectrum, it caused damage to buildings, particularly in the Bagnoli district. Inspections are still ongoing, but from the pictures I have seen, this is probably the worst damage caused by an earthquake here in recent years. In one house, parts of the ceiling came down and a roof truss collapsed.

This trapped a man
who had to be rescued by the fire department who rushed to the scene and probably suffered injuries. Parts of the façade and roof tiles also fell onto roads and demolished vehicles.

Some of the residents panicked and gathered in squares. A group of angry citizens also stormed an empty military base. Apparently they thought there was better protection here.



The civil defense authorities reacted quickly and activated the municipal operations center. Several emergency centers were opened and pavilions were set up at the assembly points. In the event of an emergency, evacuation should take place from the assembly points. However, this has not yet happened.

The alert status remains yellow for the time being,
although some citizens are now calling for the alert level to be raised. They argue that the yellow alert status was already declared in 2023 and that the situation has worsened significantly since then. At an orange alert level, initial evacuation measures would have to be initiated. Apparently, some residents want to leave the area but are unable to do so with their own financial resources and are therefore hoping that the state will provide them with new accommodation away from the caldera volcano.


Poor long-term forecast for Pozzuoli and the Campi Flegrei
As is so often the case, civil protection is a political issue and people hope for the best without seriously preparing for the worst. This tactic often works, but of course not always. In my opinion, there will be no way around abandoning Pozzuoli in the long term, because even if nothing further happens in this phase of bradyseism, it is highly likely that further phases will follow over the decades, causing the building fabric to crumble.


END OF ARTICLE
 

Volcano Mount Spurr - Alaska

The probability of eruption at Alaska's Spurr volcano in the coming weeks or months has increased.
During overflights on March 7 and 11, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) detected significantly elevated volcanic gas emissions at Mount Spurr. Recently reactivated fumaroles (gas vents) were also observed at the volcano's crater vent. Elevated seismic activity and ground deformation continue.
Readings indicate that an eruption is likely to occur in the next few weeks or months.
If it does occur, it is likely to be similar to the 1953 and 1992 eruptions, which produced ash clouds that were transported into southeast Alaska communities.
  • We expect to see further increases in seismic activity, gas emissions, and surface heating prior to an eruption, if one were to occur. Such stronger unrest may provide days to weeks of additional warning.

Background information
The only known historical eruptions from Mount Spurr occurred in 1953 and 1992 from the Crater Peak flank vent located 2 miles (3.5 km) south of the peak’s summit. These eruptions were explosive and produced columns of ash that rose up to 65,000 feet (20 km) above sea level and deposited minor ashfall on southcentral Alaska (up to ¼ inch or 6 mm). The geologic record shows that Crater Peak was also the source of several explosive eruptions over the past few thousand years.
Mount Spurr’s summit vent has not erupted in historical times and there is little preserved geologic evidence of past eruptions for the last 5,000 years. More recent eruptions, if they have occurred, must have been less explosive than Crater Peak and their deposits not as well preserved. A summit eruption could be explosive or could consist only of lava flows. From 2004 to 2006, Spurr summit experienced an episode of increased seismicity, surface uplift, and heating that melted a large hole in the summit ice cover and generated debris flows, but no eruption occurred.

Primary hazards during future eruptions from either vent could include far-traveled airborne ash clouds and ashfall that could be impactful to southcentral Alaska communities. Pyroclastic flows (hot avalanches), and lahars (mudflows) could inundate drainages on all sides of the volcano, but primarily on the south and east flanks, and pose no significant risk to communities.

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Condensed gas emissions from the summit of Mount Spurr during the 03/11/2025 overflight. The lake within the crater is slightly visible on the left but otherwise mostly obscured by the plume.
Date: Mar 11th, 2025
Volcano(es): Spurr
Photographer: Kushner, Skye


 
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