A strong earthquake shook the Naples area early Thursday morning after a magnitude 4.4 tremor struck beneath the highly active Campi Flegrei volcanic region in southern Italy.

According to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the earthquake had its epicenter in the Gulf of Pozzuoli at a shallow depth of just 3 kilometers, making the shaking widely felt across the Naples metropolitan area.

Residents Across Naples Awakened by Strong Shaking

The earthquake struck at dawn and was immediately felt throughout Naples and surrounding communities.

Residents reported intense shaking on social media as buildings vibrated and people rushed outside in fear. Because the quake was extremely shallow, even a moderate magnitude produced strong ground motion in nearby areas.

Despite widespread concern, authorities said there were no immediate reports of major injuries or serious structural damage.

Schools Closed in Several Municipalities

As a precaution, local authorities in Pozzuoli, Bacoli, and Quarto decided to suspend school operations following the earthquake.

Emergency teams and engineers began inspections to assess buildings and public infrastructure for possible hidden damage.

Terremoto nei Campi Flegrei, distrutto il belvedere di Baia https://t.co/Y2dfDLwcK5 pic.twitter.com/4K8AIYqCkS

— Napoli Today (@NapoliToday) May 21, 2026

Campi Flegrei: One of Europe’s Most Dangerous Supervolcanoes

Campi Flegrei is not a typical volcano. It is a vast volcanic caldera west of Naples formed by ancient massive eruptions and the collapse of underground magma chambers.

The area is considered one of the most closely monitored volcanic systems in the world because millions of people live nearby.

Scientists have long warned that the region remains highly active both volcanically and seismically.

What Is Bradyseism?

The Campi Flegrei region experiences a phenomenon known as Bradyseism, where the ground slowly rises and falls over time due to underground volcanic pressure changes.

These movements are often accompanied by earthquake swarms and shallow tremors that can be strongly felt even when magnitudes are relatively moderate.

In recent years, the area has experienced increasing seismic unrest, raising concerns among volcanologists and local residents.

Scientists Closely Monitoring the Situation

Italian authorities and volcanologists continue monitoring seismic activity beneath Campi Flegrei for any signs of escalation.

Experts stress that earthquakes in the region are relatively common, but the shallow depth and increasing frequency of tremors continue to draw scientific attention.

For now, officials say there is no indication of an imminent volcanic eruption, though monitoring remains constant.