Bradyseism and quake leave thousands homeless in Pozzuoli region

A recent magnitude-4.7 earthquake, the strongest locally in forty years, left roughly 3,700 people in Pozzuoli unable to return to their houses, many of whom now stay with relatives, in hotels or in the "Palatrincone" sports hall turned emergency shelter. Residents describe the event as different from the frequent minor shakes typical of the Phlegraean Fields. Researchers attribute the quake to bradyseism, a rare volcanic process where underground gas pressure causes the ground to rise and fall like breathing.

Since the mid-1950s the area has risen about 4.5 metres, with the uplift rate accelerating, but monitoring shows no magma intrusion near the surface. The Italian government has issued a special decree to improve building safety and emergency preparedness, allocating funds for inspections and public information. Local officials stress that sturdy structures and informed citizens are the best defenses against future seismic threats.