A huge crack was found under one of the most dangerous volcanoes

An artificial intelligence study has mapped more than 54,000 earthquakes in Italy's Campi Flegrei region since 2022, revealing an apparent ring-shaped fault that was hiding in plain sight.

The caldera is located just west of Naples and extends about 7 miles, with neighborhoods built on its land and edges.

This work was led by Xing Tan, a doctoral researcher at Stanford University. His research focuses on machine learning for earthquake monitoring.

Loop error in Campi Flegre

A ring fault, a circular fracture that defines a collapsed volcanic basin, can direct pressure and direct the locations of earthquakes. The USGS describes how annular fractures form volcanic craters and influence subsequent unrest.

At Campi Flegrei, the new map identifies a thin, well-defined ring that traces the uplift zone and extends even offshore. This pattern highlights the structure of the system and links recent vibrations to that structure.

“Our Italian colleagues were surprised to see the ring so clearly,” added the study's lead author.

The discovery reshapes how scientists interpret a volcano's internal structure, giving them an accurate map of pressure zones that were previously invisible.

Campi Flegrei study using artificial intelligence

Seismologists traditionally rely on phase selection, the step in which analysts identify the first shaking from distant earthquakes on seismograms. Machines can now learn this task from millions of labeled examples and apply it to continuous data.

This training has paid off by recognizing the small overlapping signals that the old methods missed. With more events and clearer locations, the catalog shows where faults align and where pressure is building.

The researchers noted that the new system is now able to provide a clearer view of underground activity.

They explained that the technology has passed the testing stage, and is being used in real time to detect subtle shifts and locate small earthquakes with much greater accuracy than before.

What the squadron says about the risks

The in-depth catalog shows two long faults converging under Pozzuoli, a town on the north side of the caldera. These structures raise concerns about stronger shaking in shallow urban areas.

An earthquake of magnitude 5 is not unlikely. The researchers confirmed that the area has long been known to pose great risks, recalling that part of the city was evacuated in the 1980s.

They explained that for the first time, the underlying geological structures responsible for this danger have become clearly visible.

The same analysis highlights a quite shallow band of activity, more than about 2.5 miles high, with no sign of magma moving upward. This image indicates that pressurized fluids and faults are the driver at the moment.

Monitoring Campi Flegrei

Campi Flegrei rises and falls in pulses called hysteresis, which is the Earth's slow rise and fall driven by pressure changes in the Earth's interior. Since April 2025, the average rise has remained around 15 mm per month.

A rise of about 0.6 inches each month increases pressure on faults and buildings. The alignment of the ring fault indicates that any future bursts of shaking may revolve around the high area.

The Italian Civil Protection maintains an emergency plan that divides the area into red and yellow zones to deal with eruption and ash risks. This guidance outlines methods and priorities so local officials can respond quickly if conditions change.

For residents, the practical takeaways are simple. Know your area, secure heavy furniture, and follow INGV updates during swarms.

What has changed in the new map?

A caldera, a large volcanic depression formed after a large eruption, often bears many small faults. The new map sorts scattered points into clear lines, allowing engineers to estimate the realistic range of vibration that a particular fault could cause.

These estimates have direct uses in building inspections and emergency drills. A better understanding of where shaking is likely helps planners place shelters, ambulances and clear roads.

The results also narrow down scientific questions. If the ring fault illuminates during uplift acceleration, the relationship between pressure in the shallow system and seismicity is strengthened.

Over time, this relationship can be tested when the tool monitors the system in near real time. The same approach can be applied to other turbulent volcanic systems that already have seismic networks.

Lessons learned from the Campi Flegrei episode error

The success of the model at Campi Flegrei depends on data coverage and careful retraining. As more stations come online and analysts add examples, the model should continue to improve.

Authorities now have a clearer map of where the ground is being broken. This clarity supports faster decision-making when swarms begin or when a larger shock occurs.

None of this predicts the timing of the explosion. It shows the paths where tension is concentrated, which is exactly what communities need when the ground is not stable.

The study is published in the journal Science.

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