Crust Cracking Under Pressure

Researchers are also seeing signs that the crust beneath the caldera is shifting from bending to cracking. This is a major shift. Cracks in the rocks create easy paths for magma to rise. As a result, scientists believe the Italian supervolcano could be inching closer to an eruption. This is one of the clearest warnings yet for those tracking the volcanic region near Naples. After all, every crack makes it easier for magma to break through.