Solfatara (volcano)

The Solfatara (Italian craters Solfatara ) is a Holocene volcanic crater in the city of Pozzuoli, west of Naples (Italy). The crater has a diameter of about 770 m and has steep walls on three sides. In the south, the border opens towards the city and the Gulf of Naples.

The crater is used for tourism, among others, There is a campsite in the western part of the Solfatara, also be on illustrated boards, volcanological and botanical subjects treated. In the crater itself is still an old-fashioned " Sauna" from the Roman times, like today uses natural geothermal and steam production at the time. Crater visits for day tourists are chargeable, camping tourists have unlimited access.

The Solfatara is part of the active volcanic province of the Phlegraean Fields, consisting of numerous eruptive centers and calderas, and was created during an eruption about 4,000 years ago. There may be another phreatic eruption in the 12th century ( 1198 ) occurred.

Today, the Solfatara is particularly in the eastern part characterized by numerous gas leaks, which is named after her solfataras. At temperatures <200 ° C here with water vapor ( H2O) numerous other gases (such as sulfur, antimony and mercury compounds ) from which you can clearly smell. The Vesuvius Observatory inspected at regular intervals, the chemical composition of the gases, the change could indicate renewed activity in the underground. Furthermore, satellite-based leveling measurements are made to identify bulging in connection with Magmenaufstieg time with the help of three reflector pairs in the Solfatara.