ONE of earth’s most dangerous supervolcano is at risk of awakening from a deep slumber, with about half a million people living near it in a critical state.
According to European researchers, the supervolcano has become weaker, making it more likely to erupt.
Campi Flegrei, which means “burning fields” in Italian, is a supervolcano and boasts of the biggest eruption of all the volcanoes in Europe.
Compared to a regular volcano, a supervolcano has had an eruption with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 8, the largest recorded value on the index.
The last time the supervolcano erupted was in 1538 which lasted a week and killed 24 people.
It has been restless for more than 70 years which made experts worry.
If Campi Flegrei were to erupt, it is likely to be comparable in size to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius that destroyed two cities in AD 79, or worse, plunge the Earth into global winter for years.
Nearly half a million living near the area may need to evacuate if experts think the supervolcano is in immediate danger of an eruption.
Scientists however said there’s no guarantee an eruption will occur anytime soon but the signs are enough for them to prepare ahead for any unlikely scenario.
