AI Unveils Hidden Earthquakes at Europe's Volcano Campi Flegrei
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shedding new light on Europe's most dangerous volcano, Campi Flegrei, by uncovering hidden earthquake swarms beneath its surface. A recent study published in Science demonstrates how AI can enhance our understanding of volcanic activity, improving hazard maps and early warning systems.
The study, led by an international team of researchers, employed AI technology to analyse seismic data from Campi Flegrei. By filtering out noise from seismic waves, the AI provided sharper event locations and magnitudes, offering a clearer understanding of the volcano's activity.
The AI identified over four times as many small earthquakes as traditional methods, not linked to magma movement but closely tied to the volcanic caldera's hydrothermal system. These shallow hybrid earthquakes, linked to pressure changes within the hydrothermal system, provide valuable insights into underlying stresses within the Earth's crust. Understanding these subtle changes is crucial for predicting when the volcano may enter more active phases and for developing early warning systems.
AI also helped identify patterns of small quakes that occur along specific faults, creating a more accurate map of the region's tectonic structure. This improved understanding of the volcano's fault network can help emergency response teams make better decisions regarding evacuations and public safety measures. The study's findings align with the reality of previous volcanic crises, such as the 1982-1984 eruption of Campi Flegrei, which caused widespread disruption and necessitated the evacuation of 40,000 people.
The successful application of AI in this study highlights its potential in improving volcanic hazard maps and early warning systems. By offering a clearer, more accurate view of earthquake patterns, AI can help protect lives and mitigate the impact of future volcanic crises at Campi Flegrei and other active volcanoes worldwide.
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