Bradyseism in the Flegrea Area

By Ferdinando Marfella under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Bradyseism in the Flegrea Area is part of the Tentative list of Italy in order to qualify for inclusion in the World Heritage List.

Bradyseism in the Flegrea Area is representative of the natural phenomenon known as bradyseism (Greek for "slow movement"), the slow subsidence or uplift of the Earth's surface, due to the emptying or filling of an underground magma chamber and/or hydrothermal activity, particularly in volcanic calderas. The Flegrea Area, a collapsed caldera, has suffered from both positive and negative bradyseism over the centuries. An area with many Roman archaeological ruins, evidence of molluscs on the columns of the Macellum of Pozzuoli shows that it was at one stage at least 7m underwater.

Map of Bradyseism in the Flegrea Area

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The coordinates shown for all tentative sites were produced as a community effort. They are not official and may change on inscription.

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Zoë Sheng

Chinese-Canadian - 13-Jun-19 -

Bradyseism in the Flegrea Area (T) by Zoë Sheng

This proposed entry has nothing to do with worshipping Tom Brady but that might have a higher chance to get inscribed.

Just outside Naples, far enough to be away from the crazy driving, narrow roads and honking vespas, is the Archeological Park of Pausilypon. You need to make a reservation to visit the park and I stood in front of the gate not knowing how to continue to my actual destination: Gaiola.

I found a small alley without any sign that looked like it was going the right way and surely after 10min I stood at the seaside. A dirty beach greeted me in the heat. Walk around it and there is a guarded entrance to the islands. If you want to go swimming here you need to pay a small fee and present an ID. They are very strict on conserving the area and fighting the trash that constantly comes onshore.

Previously I had inquired about a snorkeling tour (you are not allowed by yourself, only swimsuits) but they only do that Saturdays but it was too cold in late May anyway. Free entry is given to the info center and the viewing platform. That's where you can see the islands with the ruins. It is nothing special. The marine life, as much as I am up for protection, is not unique. If anything then the place is important for having a clean spot next to that cesspool called Naples. A weak site I never expect to be world heritage and rightly so it was already rejected in 2008. Seeing how it involves a parking fee, a long walk up and down and you get to see very little I can only recommend this if you have a tour booked to both parks.


Full Name
Bradyseism in the Flegrea Area
Country
Italy
Added
2006
Type
Natural
Categories
Natural landscape - Volcanic and thermal
Link
By ID
2008 Rejected

May have potential to be included as part of a serial cultural property for its history of science values

2006 Added to Tentative List

The site has 3 locations

Bradyseism in the Flegrea Area: Baia Submerged Park (T)
Bradyseism in the Flegrea Area: Serapeum (T)
Bradyseism in the Flegrea Area: Gaiola Submerged Park (T)
WHS 1997-2024