A 4.2-magnitude earthquake hit the
Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields) area near Naples at 3:35 on
Wednesday.
Mauro Antonio Di Vito, the director of the Vesuvius Observatory
of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV),
told ANSA that it was the biggest quake to hit the area in 40
years.
"It took place during an earthquake swarm that started yesterday
morning at 5am with 60 events of lower intensity," Di Vito said.
"The earthquake is part of bradyseism dynamics, which have
accelerated slightly in recent days, meaning that the process is
continuing and the speed of uplift of the ground is intensifying
slightly".
The Phlegraean Fields area is a collapsed caldera, a volcanic
area formed by several volcanic edifices.
The quake was felt as far away as Rome, Potenza and Foggia.
Trains services to and from Naples were suspended for a spell
early on Wednesday to allow for safety checks, leading to delays
of up to three hours.
The city of Naples said that it had received no reports of
injuries or major damage due to the quake.
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