Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius
On August 24 around noon in 79 AD, a massive eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius began to cause a catastrophic damage that we still talk about today. It happened in the town of Pompeii. An estimated 20,000 people died that day. They died the most horrible death. Very few people escaped the red lava and gassy fumes. How did this come to be on this day? Were there any warnings? What would happen if Mount Vesuvius erupted today?
Where is Mount Vesuvius located?
Mount Vesuvius is located on Italy’s west coast. The Volcano overlooks the bay and the City of Naples. It sits in the crater of the ancient Somma volcano. “Mount Vesuvius is the only active volcano in mainland Europe, and has produced some of the continent …show more content…
Mount Vesuvius stands 4,000 feet over the City of Naples today. It has a 2,000 foot wider crater. It is said that there is a 10 mile death zone for this volcano. It is said that anything in the 10 mile radius of the death zone will be no more if this volcano erupts as it did in 79 AD. (Mount Vesivius, 2014)
First, there was the volcano, Somma. It erupted into itself creating Mount Vesuvius. The reason that Mount Vesuvius is so dangerous is that it sits on two plates, the African plate and the Eurasian Plate. The deformation of these two plates is what causes the outward look of the volcano. (Mount Vesivius, 2014)
3 miles below the volcano is called the magma chamber. It is a lake of molten rock. Chemical reactions cause crystals to form that then fall to the bottom of the magma chamber. Heat from the earth’s internal will then cause a chain reaction that can’t be stopped. It then has to release it’s built up pressure by finding ways to break through the weakest layer of the earth. This is what ends of being earthquakes or tremors. When the magma reaches the surface the temperature drops. It is like a shaked up a soda bottle and releasing the cap. The foam comes out fast and high until it …show more content…
It did not eruption again till 203. It erupted or flowed lava seven times including and up to 1036. After 1036, Mount Vesuvius went quiet for 600 years. Grass and flowers started to grow on Mount Vesuvius. Then in 1631, Mount Vesuvius erupted and many villages were buried under lava. An estimated 3,000 people died. After that eruption, Mount Vesuvius seemed to have continuous activity by either eruption of the volcano or earthquakes in the area. (Volcano Live, 2014)
It erupted in 1906 and killed 100 people. It was reported that it released more lava flow than any other eruption. Plans for the 1908 Summer Olympics were changed due to the damage that the volcano caused in Naples. The Summer Olympics were switched to London so that Naples could use their time and funds to repair the damage the Mount Vesuvius caused. (Volcano Live,
On August 24 around noon in 79 AD, a massive eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius began to cause a catastrophic damage that we still talk about today. It happened in the town of Pompeii. An estimated 20,000 people died that day. They died the most horrible death. Very few people escaped the red lava and gassy fumes. How did this come to be on this day? Were there any warnings? What would happen if Mount Vesuvius erupted today?
Where is Mount Vesuvius located?
Mount Vesuvius is located on Italy’s west coast. The Volcano overlooks the bay and the City of Naples. It sits in the crater of the ancient Somma volcano. “Mount Vesuvius is the only active volcano in mainland Europe, and has produced some of the continent …show more content…
Mount Vesuvius stands 4,000 feet over the City of Naples today. It has a 2,000 foot wider crater. It is said that there is a 10 mile death zone for this volcano. It is said that anything in the 10 mile radius of the death zone will be no more if this volcano erupts as it did in 79 AD. (Mount Vesivius, 2014)
First, there was the volcano, Somma. It erupted into itself creating Mount Vesuvius. The reason that Mount Vesuvius is so dangerous is that it sits on two plates, the African plate and the Eurasian Plate. The deformation of these two plates is what causes the outward look of the volcano. (Mount Vesivius, 2014)
3 miles below the volcano is called the magma chamber. It is a lake of molten rock. Chemical reactions cause crystals to form that then fall to the bottom of the magma chamber. Heat from the earth’s internal will then cause a chain reaction that can’t be stopped. It then has to release it’s built up pressure by finding ways to break through the weakest layer of the earth. This is what ends of being earthquakes or tremors. When the magma reaches the surface the temperature drops. It is like a shaked up a soda bottle and releasing the cap. The foam comes out fast and high until it …show more content…
It did not eruption again till 203. It erupted or flowed lava seven times including and up to 1036. After 1036, Mount Vesuvius went quiet for 600 years. Grass and flowers started to grow on Mount Vesuvius. Then in 1631, Mount Vesuvius erupted and many villages were buried under lava. An estimated 3,000 people died. After that eruption, Mount Vesuvius seemed to have continuous activity by either eruption of the volcano or earthquakes in the area. (Volcano Live, 2014)
It erupted in 1906 and killed 100 people. It was reported that it released more lava flow than any other eruption. Plans for the 1908 Summer Olympics were changed due to the damage that the volcano caused in Naples. The Summer Olympics were switched to London so that Naples could use their time and funds to repair the damage the Mount Vesuvius caused. (Volcano Live,