The amazing thing is that even though it's erupted more than 30 times since then, most recently in 1944, the freakin' thing is surrounded by towns now... there are actually houses and streets on it's lower slopes
It's still classed as an active volcano, so it's not a matter of if, but when it goes off again. I wonder what the insurance premiums would be like there????
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Cheers, Steve.
"Any day above ground is a good day... unless you're a spelunker :)"
It is not just Mt Vesuvius ... there many 'natural features' that have the potential to cause considerable disruption, death and destrution.
People continue to live near, in or on such features - even though they are fully aware of the consequences - most recently Nepal
It would appear that, as a species, we are not too considerate of our personal well being. Although, if there were no towns or buildings in close proximity then there would be no problem. Sort of like our bushfires - if the fire occurs in a populated areas it is a "disaster" and attracts huge attention ... but if it occurs in a remote National Park or away from population, then it is just left to burn for weeks with no attempt to put it out.
Of course there is the other famous one that they are waiting to occur - the San Andreas Fault.