Phlegraean

Phlegraean is an adjective used for things related to Phlegraea or the Phlegraean Fields, a large volcanic area near Naples, Italy. The term is often used interchangeably with Campi Flegrei in Italian. The field lies to the west of Naples, including the towns of Pozzuoli, Bacoli, and parts of Monte di Procida. It is considered one of the most studied and active volcanic systems in Europe.

Geology and features: The Phlegraean Fields comprise a complex of calderas, tuffs, and lava domes produced by repeated collapses of a shallow magma chamber. The landscape is marked by bradyseism, a cycle of ground uplift and subsidence driven by magma and hydrothermal processes. Notable features include the Solfatara crater, a persistent fumarolic vent; the Astroni crater to the south; and the Monte Nuovo cone, formed during the 1538 eruption that produced a new cone overlooking Pozzuoli.

Activity and history: The field has a long eruption history, with the 1538 event being the most significant in modern times. Since then, activity has largely been non-eruptive but characterized by unrest, ground deformation, and gas emissions. In the 20th and 21st centuries the area has experienced several episodes of uplift, subsidence, and seismic activity, prompting ongoing monitoring by scientific agencies and civil authorities.

Etymology and status: Phlegraean is the English form for Phlegraea or the Phlegraean Fields; in Italian this is Campi Flegrei. Today the region remains geologically active and is subject to continuous monitoring to assess hazards such as ground deformation, gas release, and potential phreatic explosions affecting nearby populations and infrastructure.