Comparative Study of Bradyseismic Crises and Their Impacts on the City of Pozzuoli (Italy)

Bradyseism, associated with the volcanic dynamics of the Campi Flegrei caldera, has characterised the Pozzuoli area for centuries. Its periodic ground uplift and subsidence and the consequent low-intensity and high-frequency seismic sequences generated during uplift phases, continuously impact the built environment and the population. During the 1969–1972 and 1982–1984 bradyseismic crises, rapid ground uplift and seismic activity, in the absence of modern monitoring instruments, led to the evacuation of the historic centre to safeguard the population from building damage and the feared eruption. The current crisis, ongoing since 2005, presents different seismic-deformation dynamics from those historically recorded, generating equally significant impacts on buildings and the population. This paper aims to compare the dynamics of the major bradyseismic crises and the relevant implications for the Pozzuoli area. The study examines the duration of the crises, ground deformation trends, the frequency and intensity of seismic events, and the different political and risk governance measures put in place, analysing the relevant impacts not only on the physical territory, such as the natural and built environment but also on the populations living within this volcanic region. The study enhances the understanding of the current situation of the Phlegraean territory and supports the identification and definition of a new Bradyseismic Risk scenario, aimed at renewing building, urban, and emergency planning strategies. This approach addresses both disaster mitigation and the resilience of urban contexts.