Vesúvio

Vesúvio, also known as Mount Vesuvius, is an active stratovolcano located on the Gulf of Naples in Campania, Italy. It is most famous for its catastrophic eruption in 79 AD, which destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other nearby settlements, preserving them under volcanic ash and providing a unique snapshot of Roman life.

The volcano is part of the Campanian volcanic arc, a line of volcanoes formed by the subduction of the African plate beneath the Eurasian plate. Vesúvio's most recent eruption occurred in 1944, and it is currently classified as a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI), meaning it is likely to erupt within the next decade.

The volcano is composed of layered lava flows and pyroclastic deposits, with a summit crater and a large caldera. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with a history of frequent eruptions dating back to the 12th century BC. The last significant eruption in 1944 resulted in the deaths of 33 people and caused significant damage to nearby towns.

Vesúvio is a popular tourist destination, with visitors able to walk to the summit and view the crater. The volcano is also a popular subject for scientific research, with ongoing studies into its geological activity and potential hazards. The preserved cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, along with the nearby town of Torre Annunziata, form the Vesuvius National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.