Mount Vesuvius: The Quiet Giant

Mount Vesuvius looms in the background of the port city of Naples, Italy. This active volcano is one of the deadliest in the world because of its proximity to so many densely populated cities.

Students experience four wheel driving Italian style. The journey to the top of Mount Vesuvius is filled with long switch backs and takes about 30 minutes. After reaching the parking lot students must hike another 20 minutes to the top. Yingjia “Lemon” Guo from the University of Virginia looks at the rolling terrain as she is taken up the volcano and prepares for her exploration.

Students start the 20 minute hike from the parking lot to the top of Mount Vesuvius. Colored flowers and vegetation are everywhere on this mountain because the volcanic soil is rich in minerals and nutrients.

Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano that is due to erupt in the next few hundred years. The town of Pompeii was completely destroyed in 79 AD by its last eruption.

Walking around an active volcano is a very unique experience for the students. The volcanic rock is moon-like in its appearance, the scale of which is grand. This rough terrain requires the attention of all hikers.

Heather Davis of Northern Arizona University and Madeline Casey from Eckerd College, stop for a break after hiking all day. The cool breeze is refreshing as they take in this dangerous yet beautiful volcano.

Mount Vesuvius: The Quiet Giant

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