Thursday, July 15, 2010

Volcano Vesuvius

Vesuvius is the only active volcano on the mainland of Europe. It is probably the most famous volcano in the world. It rises on the Bay of Naples, about 7 miles southeast of the city of Naples. Vesuvius has been studied by scientist more than any other volcano because it erupts frequently and is easy to reach.

Vesuvius is a cone within the rim of Mount Somma, a big crater formed when the top of the mountain collapsed in the eruption of A.D. 79. The height of Vesuvius changes with each eruption. In 1900, the cone was 4,275 feet high. But after several eruptions since then, its height has dropped to 4,190 feet. The top of the active cone is a cup-shaped crater, ranging from 50 to 400 feet across. Vesuvius spouts columns of steam, cinders, and sometimes small amounts of lava into the air.

Many people live on the lower slopes of the mountain and on the plains at its foot, in spite of Vesuvius' history of eruptions. The volcanic soil is extremely fertile and the area is famous for its vineyard of wine grapes.

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