View source for Solfatara (volcano)

{{short description|Italian volcano near Naples}}
{{hatnote|This article is about a particular volcano named 'Solfatara'; for the phenomenon of solfatare in general, see the common name [[fumarole]].}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Solfatara
| photo = Campi Flegrei.JPG
| photo_caption = [[Sulphur]] and [[fumarole]]s at the Solfatara crater
| elevation_m = 458
| elevation_ref = <ref name="SI">{{cite gvp|vn=211010|name=Campi Flegrei|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref>
| prominence = 
| location = [[Italy]]
| coordinates = {{coord|40.827|N|14.139|E|type:mountain_region:IT|display=inline,title}}
| topo = 
| type = Crater of [[Campi Flegrei]]
| age = 40,000 years
| volcanic_arc = [[Campanian volcanic arc]]
| volcanic_field = [[Phlegraean Fields]]
| last_eruption = 1198<ref name="SI"/>
| first_ascent = 
| easiest_route = 
}}

'''Solfatara''' ({{langx|it|Solfatara di Pozzuoli}}) is a shallow [[volcanic crater]] at [[Pozzuoli]], near [[Naples]], part of the [[Phlegraean Fields]] ({{langx|it|Campi Flegrei}}) volcanic area. It is a volcano, which emits jets of [[steam]] with [[sulfur]]ous fumes. The name comes from the [[Latin]], ''Sulpha terra'', "land of [[sulfur]]", or "sulfur earth". It was formed around 4000&nbsp;years ago and last erupted in 1198 with what was probably a [[Phreatic eruption|''phreatic'' eruption]] – an explosive steam-driven eruption caused when [[groundwater]] interacts with [[magma]]. The crater floor was a popular tourist attraction until 2017, as it has many [[fumaroles]] and [[Mudpot|mud pools]].  The area is well known for its [[bradyseism]]. The vapours had been used for medical purposes since Roman times.

This volcano is where the [[thermoacidophile|thermoacidophilic]] [[Archaea|archaeon]] ''[[Sulfolobus solfataricus]]'' was first isolated. The archaeon is named for the volcano, as most species of the genus ''Sulfolobus'' are named for the area where they are first isolated.

==Notable events==
[[Proculus of Pozzuoli|Saint Proculus]] (the [[patron saint]] of Pozzuoli) and [[Januarius|Saint Januarius]] (the patron saint of Naples) were beheaded at Solfatara in 305.

In 2017, three people—an 11-year-old boy and his parents—died, when they fell into a chasm. Initial rumors that claimed that the boy had entered an off-limits area of the crater<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41243134|title=Boy and parents die in volcanic crater|date=2017-09-12|work=BBC News|access-date=2017-12-18|language=en-GB}}</ref> were declared false by an eyewitness who had watched the scene unfold from her balcony.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/cronaca/campania/morti-nella-solfatara-testimone-la-voragine-non-era-stata-segnalata_3094656-201702a.shtml|title=Morti nella solfatara,testimone: la voragine non era stata segnalata - Tgcom24|work=Tgcom24|access-date=2017-12-18}}</ref> According to the eyewitness, the family were on the official walking path, when the 11-year-old slipped into the unsecured chasm. His parents died in an attempt to save him. The only survivor was the boy's 7-year-old brother.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Solfatara crater.jpg|Panoramic view of the crater towards the southeast
File:Mud pool in Solfatara crater.jpg|Close-up view of a mud pool
File:Medium fumarole in Solfatara crater.jpg|Medium size fumarole in Solfatara
File:Fumarole in Solfatara crater (close up).jpg|Biggest fumarole in Solfatara
File:Il Vero disegno in svl propio lvogho ritratto del infelice paese di Posvolo ... ali 29 de Setenbre 1538.jpg|Map of the Campania region showing the 1538 eruption of the Solfatara volcano northeast of Pozzuoli near Naples. 1 map ; 289 x 423 mm (neat line), 295 x 428 mm (plate mark). Forms part of the Franco Novacco Map Collection at the Newberry Library.
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[List of volcanoes in Italy]]

==References==

{{Commons category|Solfatara (Pozzuoli)}}

* {{cite book
  | last = Kilburn
  | first = Chris
  |author2=McGuire, Bill
   | title = Italian Volcanoes (Classic Geology in Europe 1)
  | publisher = Terra Publishing
  | year = 2001
  | pages= 174 pp
  | isbn = 1-903544-04-1 }}

{{reflist}}

{{Landmarks of Campania}}

[[Category:Campanian volcanic arc]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of Italy]]
[[Category:Landforms of Campania]]
[[Category:Phlegraean Fields]]
{{Campania-geo-stub}}