| Solfatara | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 458 m (1,503 ft)[1] |
| Coordinates | 40°49′37″N14°08′20″E / 40.827°N 14.139°E /40.827; 14.139 |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Location | Italy |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | 40,000 years |
| Mountain type | Crater ofCampi Flegrei |
| Volcanic arc | Campanian volcanic arc |
| Last eruption | 1198[1] |
Solfatara (Italian:Solfatara di Pozzuoli) is a shallowvolcanic crater atPozzuoli, nearNaples, part of thePhlegraean Fields (Italian:Campi Flegrei) volcanic area. It is adormant volcano, which still emits jets ofsteam withsulfurous fumes. The name comes from theLatin,Sulpha terra, "land ofsulfur", or "sulfur earth". It was formed around 4000 years ago and last erupted in 1198 with what was probably aphreatic eruption – an explosive steam-driven eruption caused whengroundwater interacts withmagma. The crater floor was a popular tourist attraction until 2017, as it has manyfumaroles andmud pools. The area is well known for itsbradyseism. The vapours had been used for medical purposes since Roman times.
This volcano is where thethermoacidophilicarchaeonSulfolobus solfataricus was first isolated. The archaeon is named for the volcano, as most species of the genusSulfolobus are named for the area where they are first isolated.
Saint Proculus (thepatron saint of Pozzuoli) andSaint 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[2] were declared false by an eyewitness who had watched the scene unfold from her balcony.[3] 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.
.jpg)
 | This Campanian location article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |