Naples faced a 4.4-magnitude earthquake early Thursday, causing minor injuries to 11 individuals and minor structural damage. The quake matched a previous event in May, prompting residents to evacuate for safety. Inspections and safety measures are underway as seismologists note increased activity in the region, which is home to over 500,000 residents.
The city of Naples, located in southern Italy, experienced a 4.4-magnitude earthquake early Thursday morning, resulting in minimal damage and sending 11 individuals to the hospital, largely for contusions from a collapsed ceiling. This quake stands as one of the most significant recorded in the Phlegrean Fields region, matching a previous earthquake that occurred in May, thus alerting the local population.
In the moments following the quake, residents were awakened and hastily evacuated to the streets for safety, recalling similar reactions from the previous incident. The earthquake’s epicenter was located offshore near Pozzuoli, a coastal suburb of Naples, leading to some structural issues, including the temporary closure of a church and residential buildings.
Mayor Gaetano Manfredi communicated to the press that inspections were underway to evaluate further damage, stating, “We are following with the greatest attention all of our structures, and are monitoring all events in real time.” Among the injured, one woman required treatment due to a ceiling collapse, while several others suffered injuries from breaking glass.
Recent weeks have shown a notable rise in seismic activity within the Phlegrean Fields, prompting local authorities to conduct emergency preparedness drills last summer. This area, characterized by both seismic and volcanic activities, has seen significant geological changes, with the ground level rising by 1.3 meters since 2006, which is higher than before the last major event in 1984.
Approximately 500,000 individuals live in the regions considered most vulnerable to potential volcanic eruptions, leading Italy’s national institute for geophysics and vulcanology to advocate for a governmental strategy aimed at securing structures against earthquakes of at least 5.0 magnitude. The 1984 event had necessitated the evacuation of 40,000 residents amid intense seismic activities, although a feared volcanic eruption ultimately did not materialize.
In conclusion, the recent earthquake in Naples has prompted immediate safety measures and inspections of structures in the impacted areas. With increased seismic activity in the Phlegrean Fields, authorities are vigilant and call for preparedness plans to mitigate the risks posed to the large population residing in this seismically active region. Historical precedents remind us of the potential severity of such natural events.
Original Source: www.pennlive.com
