Description

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Context:

The Phlegraean Fields, considered as one massive supervolcano, are beginning to stir, making the scientific community uneasy.

About Phlegraean Fields:

Location	Vicinity of Naples, Italy.
Italian Name	Campi Flegrei.
Type	Volcanic system with multiple centers.
Caldera Description	Depressed area (deep sinkhole or cauldron).
Formation of Caldera	Formed 39,000 years ago after a massive eruption emptied it of magma.
Relation to Neanderthals	Hypothesized to have contributed to the decline of Neanderthals.
Geographical Extent	One-third under the Tyrrhenian Sea, between the Italian mainland and Sardinia.
Status	Largest active caldera in Europe.
Comparison to Mount Vesuvius	Larger and more active; unlike cone-shaped Vesuvius.
Activity since 1950	In a state of unrest due to bradyseism.
Bradyseism	Gradual surface movement caused by filling or emptying of underground magma/hydrothermal activity.
Classification	Supervolcano with potential for worldwide impact.
Volcanic Carbon Emissions	Among the top eight emitters of volcanic CO₂ worldwide.

What is a Supervolcano?

A Supervolcano is a volcano on steroids. It’s a massive volcanic system capable of producing thousands of times more powerful eruptions than a regular volcano. These eruptions can eject more than 1,000 cubic kilometers of material into the atmosphere, which can have catastrophic effects on the global climate and environment. When a supervolcano erupts, it can form a giant caldera, a huge crater spanning dozens of miles.

The sheer scale of these eruptions makes them rare, but scientists monitor them because of their potential impact on life across the planet.

E.g., Places like Yellowstone National Park in the United States are known for the most famous supervolcanoes.

ALSO READ ABOUT

TYPES OF VOLCANO

Source:

earth.com

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the Phlegraean Fields:

The Phlegraean Fields is an active volcanic area located in the vicinity of Naples, Italy.
It is the largest active caldera in Europe and has been in a state of unrest since 1950 due to bradyseism.
The caldera formed after an eruption approximately 20,000 years ago and is currently not at risk of an eruption.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Phlegraean Fields (also known as Campi Flegrei) is an active volcanic area near Naples, Italy. It is a volcanic system rather than a single volcano and consists of several craters within a large caldera.

Statement 2 is correct: The Phlegraean Fields is the largest active caldera in Europe, and it has been experiencing a state of unrest since 1950, characterized by bradyseism. Bradyseism refers to the gradual vertical movement of the Earth's surface due to underground magma or hydrothermal activity.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The caldera was formed around 39,000 years ago, not 20,000 years ago, following a massive eruption. Additionally, the region is still active and while there is no imminent eruption predicted, it is considered a supervolcano and scientists closely monitor its activity due to its potential for significant volcanic events.