Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples, Campania, Italyi

Regional Level Types
Somma-Vesuvius Complex	Volcanic Complex (Active)
Naples	Metropolitan City
Campania	Region
Italy	- not defined -

The active Vesuvius volcano is a distinct locality within the arcuate shaped Monte Somma, which represents the remains of an older, much larger volcanic cone.

The volcanic activity in the Vesuvian area began ca. 400 ka ago, although the present volcano formed after the huge Campanian Ignimbrite (CI) eruption, which occurred at Campi Flegrei ca. 40 ka ago. Since 40 ka, the volcano has been characterized either by long periods of quiescence, interrupted by Plinian or sub-Plinian eruptions, or by periods of semi-persistent mildly explosive activity. The latter were frequently interrupted by violent explosive–effusive eruptions, related to the alternation of closed and open conduit conditions, respectively, building the stratovolcano. The last period of persistent volcanism started after the 1631 AD sub-Plinian eruption and lasted until 1944 AD. Since that time, Vesuvius has been quiescent, as it has not shown clear signs of unrest; only moderate seismicity and fumaroles testify to its activity.
At Somma-Vesuvius, three main rock series were generated by volcanic activity and can be distinguished based on different ages, degrees of silica undersaturation and degrees of alkali enrichment. The rocks older than about 19 ka mostly consist of poorly silica undersaturated with minor oversaturated rocks ranging from potassic trachybasalt to trachyte. A second series (from about 19 ka to 79 AD) essentially consists of phonotephrites, tephriphonolites and phonolites with intermediate degrees of silica undersaturation. A third series, younger than 79 AD, shows strongly undersaturated leucite-bearing phonotephrite, tephriphonolite to minor phonolite composition .

Several quarries and outcrops exist in this area (most of them now in the Vesuvius National Park, where collecting is strictly forbidden).

Fossils

There are 1 fossil localities from the PaleoBioDB database within this region.

BETA TEST - These data are provided on an experimental basis and are taken from external databases. Mindat.org has no control currently over the accuracy of these data.

Occurrences	1
Youngest Fossil Listed	0.01 Ma (Pleistocene)
Oldest Fossil Listed	0.13 Ma (Pleistocene)
Fossils from Region	Click here to show the list.
Accepted Name Hierarchy Age Panthera pardus species Animalia : Chordata : Mammalia : Carnivora : Felidae : Panthera : Panthera pardus 0.126 - 0.0117 Ma Pleistocene
Fossil Localities	Click to show 1 fossil locality

Mindat Articles

Humite group minerals in volcanic ejecta and xenoliths by Olav Revheim

Localities in this Region

Other Regions, Features and Areas that Intersect

References