Should People Living Should People Living Near Mt. Vesuvius be Near Mt. Vesuvius be

paid to relocate?paid to relocate?

Kevin RodriguesKevin RodriguesOctober 28October 28thth,2005,2005

LocationLocation► Southern Italy:Southern Italy:

north of the north of the metropolis of metropolis of NaplesNaples

► Location:Location: 40.8N, 40.8N, 14.4E14.4E

► Elevation:Elevation: 4,200 4,200 feet (1,281 m)feet (1,281 m)

From Above:From Above:

► Somma RimSomma Rim, a caldera-like structure formed about 17,000 , a caldera-like structure formed about 17,000 years ago from collapse of strato-volcanoyears ago from collapse of strato-volcano

► Right hook part of the caldera of Right hook part of the caldera of Phlegraean FieldsPhlegraean Fields

Mt. VesuviusMt. Vesuvius► Complex volcanoComplex volcano

Consists of: Consists of: “an extensive assemblage of spatially, temporally, “an extensive assemblage of spatially, temporally, and genetically related major and minor volcanic centers with and genetically related major and minor volcanic centers with their associated lave and pryoclastic flowstheir associated lave and pryoclastic flows

► Oldest dated rock is about 300,000 years old- part of Somma volcanoOldest dated rock is about 300,000 years old- part of Somma volcano

► Vesuvius formed after collapse of Somma (about 17,000 years ago)Vesuvius formed after collapse of Somma (about 17,000 years ago)

► Described as stratovolcanoDescribed as stratovolcano A large, steep-sided, symmetrical cone built of alternating layers A large, steep-sided, symmetrical cone built of alternating layers

(strata) of lava, ash, cinders, blocks, and bombs. Also called (strata) of lava, ash, cinders, blocks, and bombs. Also called composite volcano,composite volcano,

Characteristically form some of Earth's grandest mountains rising Characteristically form some of Earth's grandest mountains rising as much as 8,000 feet above their bases.as much as 8,000 feet above their bases.

Demonstration: Demonstration: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/hazard/stratoguide/movies/strato.http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/hazard/stratoguide/movies/strato.movmov

Past EruptionsPast Eruptions► Long history of violent eruptionsLong history of violent eruptions

► 5960B.C and 3580 B.C Vesuvius had two 5960B.C and 3580 B.C Vesuvius had two eruptions that rate as largest known in eruptions that rate as largest known in EuropeEurope

►Next known earthquake was in 62 A.DNext known earthquake was in 62 A.DDecorative stonework Decorative stonework damaged by 62 A.D damaged by 62 A.D

earthquake earthquake

► 79 A.D eruption of Vesuvius was first to be 79 A.D eruption of Vesuvius was first to be described in detail, by Pliny the Youngerdescribed in detail, by Pliny the Younger

Past Eruptions cont’d…Past Eruptions cont’d…

► 79 A.D eruption famous for the destruction of 79 A.D eruption famous for the destruction of city of Pompeiicity of Pompeii

► Three dozen eruptions since 79 A.DThree dozen eruptions since 79 A.D

► Most recent was the 1913-1944 eruption cycleMost recent was the 1913-1944 eruption cycle

► Geologists think that above cycle: Geologists think that above cycle: “end of an “end of an eruptive cycle that began in 1631”eruptive cycle that began in 1631”

August 24August 24thth -25 -25thth, 79 A.D, 79 A.D► Massive damage to cities of Pompeii (pop. 20,000) and Massive damage to cities of Pompeii (pop. 20,000) and

seaside resort of Herculaneum (pop. circa 5,000)seaside resort of Herculaneum (pop. circa 5,000)

► Estimated Estimated 3,360 people died3,360 people died… number based on … number based on excavationsexcavations

► Occurred in two phases:Occurred in two phases:

Plinian Plinian : material ejected in a tall column, spread in the atmosphere, and : material ejected in a tall column, spread in the atmosphere, and fell to earth like rainfell to earth like rain► Column was 20km (66,000 ft.) highColumn was 20km (66,000 ft.) high► Began at midday, lasting 18 hoursBegan at midday, lasting 18 hours

Pelean Pelean :material flowed down sides of volcano as avalanches of gas, :material flowed down sides of volcano as avalanches of gas, dust, and rock fragments (dust, and rock fragments (pryoclastspryoclasts))► Lasted approx. 20 hoursLasted approx. 20 hours► High temperatures, and fast-flow caused majority of the damageHigh temperatures, and fast-flow caused majority of the damage► Buried numerous buildings, save for the roofs of high lying structuresBuried numerous buildings, save for the roofs of high lying structures► Herculaneum buried under 23m (75 ft.) of ashHerculaneum buried under 23m (75 ft.) of ash

► Animation of eruption sequence: Animation of eruption sequence: http://urban.arch.virginia.edu/struct/pompeii/images/video/dhttp://urban.arch.virginia.edu/struct/pompeii/images/video/dobran-simulation.mpegobran-simulation.mpeg

Images of PompeiiImages of Pompeii

Postcards from the 1913-Postcards from the 1913-1944 Cycle1944 Cycle

Current SituationCurrent Situation► 61 years of dormancy61 years of dormancy

► Pop. Explosion from 200,000 (1944) to current Pop. Explosion from 200,000 (1944) to current 800,000 on the slopes800,000 on the slopes

► 3 million live within 10-mile radius3 million live within 10-mile radius

► Continuous monitoring by seismic probes that ring Continuous monitoring by seismic probes that ring volcano’s perimetervolcano’s perimeter

► Vesuvius Vesuvius will will erupt again, but monitoring is harderupt again, but monitoring is hard Long periods of rest that end in explosive eruptionsLong periods of rest that end in explosive eruptions No signs of eruption since 1980No signs of eruption since 1980

IssuesIssues► 15-20 days of prior notice required for evacuation, but 15-20 days of prior notice required for evacuation, but

possiblepossible

► Pompeii was buried in 48hrs, and impossible to Pompeii was buried in 48hrs, and impossible to evacuate 800,000evacuate 800,000

► Weak response as residents refuse to budgeWeak response as residents refuse to budge

► Naples notorious for disorganization and inertiaNaples notorious for disorganization and inertia

► Cost of relocation of residents prohibitive approx. $40 Cost of relocation of residents prohibitive approx. $40 billion in direct costsbillion in direct costs Goodwill and other indirect costs escalate costGoodwill and other indirect costs escalate cost

► Space constraints, and weak Sicilian economy Space constraints, and weak Sicilian economy

► Politics, politics, politics…Politics, politics, politics…

Economic IssuesEconomic Issues

► Campagna region crucial to Italian ecnomy-18% of Campagna region crucial to Italian ecnomy-18% of Italian GNPItalian GNP

► 138,000 enterprises function in Naples, employing 138,000 enterprises function in Naples, employing 591,000 people591,000 people

► Tourism: region received 10.9 million tourists in Tourism: region received 10.9 million tourists in 2001, 53% foreign2001, 53% foreign

► 51,000 agricultural enterprises- horticultural 51,000 agricultural enterprises- horticultural products worth products worth €500m (2002)€500m (2002)

► One of Italy’s three main portsOne of Italy’s three main ports

Recommendations Recommendations ► Strengthen community awareness programs on Strengthen community awareness programs on

emergency measure in case of eruptionemergency measure in case of eruption

► Demolish poorly and illegally constructed structuresDemolish poorly and illegally constructed structures

► Prohibit additional settlement on slopesProhibit additional settlement on slopes

► Allow for increased control of region by central Allow for increased control of region by central governmentgovernment

► Improve the Southern Italy economy, reducing povertyImprove the Southern Italy economy, reducing poverty

► Establish long term (30 year) repatriation programEstablish long term (30 year) repatriation program Involve financial incentives to leave surrounding regionsInvolve financial incentives to leave surrounding regions Provide housing and economic opportunities in new regionsProvide housing and economic opportunities in new regions

Questions?Questions?