Mount Vesuvius
Location: Naples, Italy
Type of volcano: Composite (stratovolcano) volcano
Last eruption: 1944
Damage: 79 AD eruption destroyed cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum
Mount Vesuvius has experienced eight major eruptions in the last 17,000 years. The 79 AD eruption is one of the most well Known ancient eruptions in the world, and may have killed more than 16,000 people. Ash, mud and rocks from this eruption buried the cities Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Mount Vesuvius is the only active volcano in mainland Europe, and has produced some of the continent’s largest volcanic eruption. Located on Italy’s west coast it overlooks the Bay and city of Naples and sits in the crater of the ancient Somma volcano. Vesuvius is most famous for 79 AD eruption which destroyed cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Through the volcano’s last eruption was in 1944, it still represents a great danger to the cities that surround it, especially the Naples.
Great eruption of Mount Vesuvius
Many of Pompeii's people died to volcanic eruption. This is an example of a cast made of their bodies.
Tourism
People visit Pompeii and Herculaneum.