Mount Vesuvius is a volcano located near Naples, Italy that erupted catastrophically in 79 AD. The eruption buried the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum under ash and rock, killing approximately 16,000 people. Vesuvius had shown signs of activity in previous decades, including a large earthquake in 63 AD. When it erupted in 79 AD, it expelled molten rock and ash at a high rate, quickly covering the towns. The region was not rebuilt after the disaster due to the extensive damage, though it has since become an important archaeological site and tourist attraction. Vesuvius remains an active volcano today.

1. The eruption of
Mount Vesuvius
By Caoimhe Leamy

2. WHERE IS MOUNT VESUVIUS ?
 Mount Vesuvius is a volcano about 9km inland from
the gulf of Naples in Italy.
 It is one of the several volcanoes which forms the
companion volcanic arc shown in red below.

3. BACKGROUND TO THE ERUPTION
 It is considered one of the most dangerous
volcanos in the world.
 It is called the Stratovolcano which is a volcano
made up of layers of Ash and Lava
 It was no surprise that Mt Vesuvius erupted in 79
AD as the signs were there years before :
 In 63 AD, a big earthquake took place and was still
being repaired when Mt. Vesuvius erupted many
years later.

4. WHAT HAPPENED?
 In 79 AD 24th of August, it erupted and expelled
molten rock and pumice at a rate of 1.5 tons per sec
 It covered the whole town of Pompeii which is nearby
with many of its people being buried alive.
 The following morning a toxic cloud of gas descended
on the town
 20,000 people lived in
Pompeii and 5,000 lived in
Herculaneum, a town
nearby and it’s estimated
that 16,000 people died

5. THE AFTERMATH?
 Normally after a disaster, cities are rebuilt but not
on this occasion – why … ?
 Apparently the damage was so extensive that no
attempt was made to re-occupy the area.
 However looters returned to Pompeii, digging
tunnels through the Ash and robbing many of the
cities riches.
 Being covered in molten lava
and ash, which acted as a
preservative, then many
bodies were preserved as
shown.

6. CURRENT STATUS
 Mt Vesuvius is still considered an active Volcano.
 The most recent eruption occurred in 1944
 Experts believe that a massive eruption could
happen again soon so more than 2 million people
who live in the area are still in danger.
 The region is now a famous tourist attraction with
thousands visiting there each year.