A magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck early today near the coastal city of Naples in southern Italy, marking the second such temblor in as many days and further raising fears of a looming volcanic eruption. The tremor was felt as far away as the capital Rome and other nearby communities, according to Italy’s EMSC seismic monitoring agency.
The epicenter of this morning’s shake was about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southeast of Naples and 20 miles (32 kilometers) inland from the Mediterranean Sea. No damage or injuries were immediately reported from the event, which struck at about 3:30 a.m. local time.
The event on Saturday had a magnitude of 4.0 and was felt in the same region.
The string of earthquakes is stoking concern over volcanic activity in the area, as Naples is nestled near the active Campi Flegrei volcanic system. Italian officials are monitoring the seismic activity closely for signs of potentially catastrophic geological activity.
Past risks of volcanic eruption in the region include the infamous eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD that destroyed the famed Roman city of Pompeii.
