Naples Hit by 4.4-Magnitude Earthquake: Residents Evacuate

Naples was hit by a 4.4-magnitude earthquake early Thursday, leading to minor injuries and structural damage. This event marks the strongest recorded quake in the Phlegrean Fields area, prompting immediate safety measures and hospital treatments for 11 individuals. Authorities continue inspections as the region’s seismic activity grows.

Naples experienced a 4.4-magnitude earthquake early Thursday morning, causing minor damage and sending 11 individuals to the hospital, primarily for contusions from a ceiling collapse. This quake, the strongest recorded in the Phlegrean Fields, matched a similar incident last May, prompting heightened alert among residents.

Residents, awakened by the tremors, took to the streets seeking safety, reminiscent of their reactions in May’s quake. The earthquake’s epicenter was located just offshore from Pozzuoli, a coastal suburb of Naples, resulting in loosened stone and cement from various building facades. Mayor Gaetano Manfredi reported that a church and a seven-story residential building were deemed unsafe, leading to precautionary school closures.

Building inspectors are currently assessing structures for additional damage. Mayor Manfredi stated that the municipality is closely monitoring all structures and events in real-time. Of the 11 treated individuals, one woman suffered injuries from a falling ceiling, while others endured cuts from broken glass.

Seismologists noted an increase in seismic activity in the Phlegrean Fields in recent weeks, leading to emergency preparedness drills conducted by authorities last summer. This area, characterized by volcanic activity, has experienced a surface uplift of 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) since 2006, which exceeds pre-1984 levels. However, predicting future eruptions or more severe quakes remains impossible.

Approximately 500,000 residents reside in the high-risk zone surrounding the volcano. Italy’s national institute for geophysics and vulcanology has urged for governmental action to ensure that buildings can withstand a minimum magnitude of 5.0 earthquake. The 1984 incident prompted the evacuation of 40,000 residents in anticipation of a possible eruption that ultimately did not occur.

The 4.4-magnitude earthquake in Naples, while causing minimal damage, has raised significant concerns about the seismic and volcanic activity within the Phlegrean Fields. With ongoing inspections and precautionary measures in place, authorities are focused on ensuring the safety of residents in this high-risk area. The history of seismic events in this region underscores the necessity for robust preparedness and structural resilience to potential future quakes or eruptions.

Original Source: www.pennlive.com