The
Phlegraean Fields (
Italian:
Campi Flegrei ; from
Greek φλέγω, "to burn") are a large
volcanic area situated to the west of
Naples,
Italy. It was declared a regional park in 2003. Lying mostly underwater, the area of the
caldera comprises 24 craters and volcanic edifices.
Hydrothermal activity can be observed at
Lucrino,
Agnano and the town of
Pozzuoli. There are also effusive gaseous manifestations in the
Solfatara crater, which is known as the mythological home of the Roman god of fire,
Vulcan. The area also features
bradyseismic phenomena, which are most evident at the
Macellum of Pozzuoli which in the 18th century was misidentified as a
Temple of Serapis, as geologists puzzled over bands of boreholes (
Gastrochaenolites) left by marine
Lithophaga molluscs on three standing marble columns, showing that the level of the site in relation to sea level had varied.