Mystery Solved Earth

Natural concrete keeps lid on Italian volcano

Scientists explain how ground rose 2 meters without bursting

concrete

SET IN CONCRETE  Naturally occurring concretelike rock allowed the ground around the volcanic Campi Flegrei caldera in Italy to rise a couple meters without bursting, new research finds. Cracks in the nearby rock (shown) vent gas and heat from deep underground.

DamienOz/Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

By Thomas Sumner

- More than 2 years ago

Just west of Naples, Italy, the ground swells and strains around the Campi Flegrei caldera, mythical home of the Roman fire god Vulcan.