Campi Flegrei
What happened here?
Campi Flegrei is perhaps better known in English as Phlegraean Fields. Campi
is Italian for ‘fields’ and Flegrei comes from the Greek word for burning. The
name gives a hint as to the nature of this region. It is a volatile and potentially
very dangerous volcanic zone. Whilst it has not erupted for 500 years, Campi
Flegrei has shown evidence of continuous activity below the surface.
The most famous and most visited of the many volcanic features is ‘Solfatara’.
This is a large crater which appears as a very pale patch between the towns of
Pozzuoli and Agnano on this NASA satellite image.
Photo credit: "Pozzuoli NASA ISS004-E-5376 modified names". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.
1) Mark a route on the map above to show where you have travelled today. Use a key if necessary.
Solfatara has been used by local people for centuries, especially for healthy treatments using the mineral waters.
It is said to have benefits for a range of skin and nervous system problems. The name ‘solfatara’ has been taken
as another word for ‘fumeroles’, volcanic vents that emit steam and a mixture of (usually smelly) gases. These
fizzing springs have heat and volcanic gases due to the magma chamber being very close to the surface, and
create steam as the heat interacts with ground water on its way to the surface.
Think like a geographer!
2) Create a field sketch of the Solfatara crater from a good view point. Aim to show human land uses (such as
scientific equipment and visitor facilities) as well as the physical characteristics.
3) Annotate the photograph below by completing the questions in the speech bubbles. Reading the signs around
the Solfatara crater area will be very helpful.
Where does this steam come
from?
What are features such as this
called?
Why are the surrounding rocks
tainted in yellowy colours?
What supposedly connects
hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas
from these vents with to the high
local birth rate?
Photo credit: Simon Wells
In what ways have people taken advantage of the volcanic activity in the local area? Look out for a range of
reasons. Put your top 5 in order, and justify your top choice.
1)
Reason for top choice:
2)
3)
4)
5)
Why this place matters
The activity here is well studied and allows the scientific community to better understand volcanic behaviour. No
supervolcanic eruption has taken place for over 26,000 years. If Campi Flegrei has supervolcanic potential,
assessing the characteristics of this zone is invaluable. Having visited the area and learnt about its volcanic
nature, would you live here? Why or why not?
Risks of living in settlements within Campi Flegrei (e.g. Pozzuoli) …think, are the risks greater than living in
other towns in the region?
Advantages of living in settlements within Campi Flegrei (e.g. Pozzuoli) …think, are the benefits greater than
living in other towns in the region?
If you currently lived in Pozzuoli, what would you do?
The coastal town of Pozzuoli lies above the Campi Flegrei magma chamber.
Photo credit: Simon Wells