Mount Vesuvius
a volcano to be respected,
a mountain to love.
The volcanic complex
Mt. Vesuvius is the only active volcano in continental Europe and is also the most extensively studied volcano on Earth. Today, it is regarded as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world because of the population of 3,000,000 people living nearby and its tendency towards explosive (Plinian) eruptions. The current shape of the volcano is the result of the continual alternation between “explosive” type eruptions, which have produced pyroclastic deposits, and “effusive” type ones, which instead have produced lava; the resulting volcanic structure is defined as volcanic stratum.
The earliest eruptions partly destroyed the most ancient volcano, Mt. Somma, within which the Gran Cono of Mt. Vesuvius later formed.
Mount Vesuvius is best known for its eruption in AD 79 that led to the burying and destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum and several other settlements.
The highest point of Mt. Vesuvius reaches 1,282 metres above sea level. The current crater has a diameter of 650 metres and a depth of 230 metres. At the base of the crater there are a number of eruptive openings which discharged many of the streams of lava from 1631 up until 1944, the year of the last eruption. Today there are small fumaroles on the Gran Cono of Mt. Vesuvius, a sign of its dormant state.
The Vesuvius side has a characteristic Mediterranean-type vegetation. Colonisation of the lava by vegetation happens thanks to a greyish-silver lichen called Stereocaulon vesuvianum, which prepares the ground for settlement by other pioneering species. The Somma side instead is damper and is covered by mesophyll forest vegetation, with a prevalence of mixed woodlands of Chestnut, Oak, Alder, Maple and Ilex trees. Over nine hundred plant species have colonised the volcanic complex over time; the current composition of its flora includes 610 species, among which 18 endemic ones of great interest, such as Helichrysum litoreum. We can point out also the large number of orchids (23) and the broom present in different species: Genista tinctoria, Genista aetnensis; the last one was imported from Etna in 1906 and today it is widespread on the entire Vesuvian territory.
The fauna is interesting too: Some of the mammals that can be found are the Wood mouse, the Stone marten, the Fox, the wild Rabbit and the Hare. The most commonlyfound vertebrates are birds, with about 140 species, among which the Sparrow hawk, the Peregrine falcon, the Buzzard, the Redstart, the Wood Pigeon and the Imperial crow. There is also a large community of invertebrates, including 44 different species of butterflies.
Since ancient times man has settled at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius, because its fertile volcanic soil and temperate climate have favoured the emergence of thriving agriculture there. The extensive oak woods have slowly been replaced by vineyards and orchards. Among the best-known produce are: apricots, in a wide range of varieties, cherries, which are mostly grown at the foot of Mt. Somma, the famous pomodorini da serbo, cherry tomatoes that are kept all year long, hanging from the walls or ceilings in characteristic piennoli, and the giant cauliflower among the vegetable species. Vesuvius however, is above all a wine-growing area; one of its most renowned wines is the Piedirosso, which together with Falanghina, is the Vesuvian red and rosé wine with a Controlled Denomination of Origin, while the white wine with the same denomination comes from the Coda di Volpe vineyard, which has ancient origins. The Falangina, Piedirosso and Coda di Volpe grapes are used to produce the famous Lacryma Christi wine.
Apricot trees
A Peregrine falcon
Helichrysum litoreum
The Vesuvius National Park
The Vesuvius National Park was officially designated on June 5th 1995, in order to protect the last-remaining active volcanic complex in Europe. The aims of the Park are:
- conservation of its fauna, flora and geomorphologic structures;
- application of administration and environmental protection programmes;
- promotion of educational, recreational and sustainable research activities;
- reconstitution and defence of hydraulic and hydrogeological balances in the area;
- promotion of traditional cultural, agricultural and craftwork activities.
The Park is situated in the province of Naples, and extends 8,482 hectares across the territory of 13 municipalities
It also includes two European Community Sites of Importance, a Special Protection Zone, a Wilderness area and a National Forest Reserve; proof of the extraordinary natural and environmental interest that this territory attracts. The Park is also guardian of a rich cultural and folkloric patrimony, comprising religious celebrations, dances, songs and music which testify the history of the people of Vesuvius, and highly regarded coral, lava stone and copper craftsmanship.
The Vesuvius National Park nature trail network comprises 9 trails that let visitors discover all of the beauty and peculiar features of the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic complex.