Combined volcano-tectonic processes for the drowning of the Roman western coastal settlements at Campi Flegrei (southern Italy)

Abstract The active Campi Flegrei caldera in southern Italy has a remarkably long history of coexistence between volcanism and human settlements, it is famous for its peculiar slow ground movement called bradyseism, i.e. episodes inflation deflation the floor due to magmatic and/or hydrothermal processes. This natural phenomenon interacted with civilization that inhabited this strategic fertile area, especially Roman times, when sinking coast hindered flourishment Puteoli Baiae coastal towns. drowning large part Republic-early Imperial buildings, west modern Pozzuoli town, classically used illustrate bradyseism activity. In paper, we investigate spatial variability role phenomenon, demonstrating alone cannot account submersion facilities western sector where harbour structures Portus Iulius luxury villas Baianus Lacus presently lie beneath sea level. On contrary, area mainly result activity volcano-tectonic faults. We restored topography 100 BCE using archaeological high-resolution topographic data. Results show several metres vertical displacement recorded Baia last 2100 yr were produced by normal faults secondarily deflation, former including long-lived Fault younger associated Monte Nuovo eruption at 1538 CE. Graphical