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Should People Living Near Mt. Vesuvius be paid to relocate?. Kevin Rodrigues October 28 th ,2005. Location. Southern Italy: north of the metropolis of Naples Location: 40.8N, 14.4E Elevation: 4,200 feet (1,281 m). From Above:.
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Should People Living Near Mt. Vesuvius be paid to relocate? Kevin Rodrigues October 28th,2005
Location • Southern Italy: north of the metropolis of Naples • Location: 40.8N, 14.4E • Elevation: 4,200 feet (1,281 m)
From Above: • Somma Rim, a caldera-like structure formed about 17,000 years ago from collapse of strato-volcano • Right hook part of the caldera of Phlegraean Fields
Mt. Vesuvius • Complex volcano • Consists of: “an extensive assemblage of spatially, temporally, and genetically related major and minor volcanic centers with their associated lave and pryoclastic flows • Oldest dated rock is about 300,000 years old- part of Somma volcano • Vesuvius formed after collapse of Somma (about 17,000 years ago) • Described as stratovolcano • A large, steep-sided, symmetrical cone built of alternating layers (strata) of lava, ash, cinders, blocks, and bombs. Also called composite volcano, • Characteristically form some of Earth's grandest mountains rising as much as 8,000 feet above their bases. • Demonstration: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/hazard/stratoguide/movies/strato.mov
Past Eruptions • Long history of violent eruptions • 5960B.C and 3580 B.C Vesuvius had two eruptions that rate as largest known in Europe • Next known earthquake was in 62 A.D Decorative stonework damaged by 62 A.D earthquake • 79 A.D eruption of Vesuvius was first to be described in detail, by Pliny the Younger
Past Eruptions cont’d… • 79 A.D eruption famous for the destruction of city of Pompeii • Three dozen eruptions since 79 A.D • Most recent was the 1913-1944 eruption cycle • Geologists think that above cycle: “end of an eruptive cycle that began in 1631”
August 24th -25th, 79 A.D • Massive damage to cities of Pompeii (pop. 20,000) and seaside resort of Herculaneum (pop. circa 5,000) • Estimated 3,360 people died… number based on excavations • Occurred in two phases: • Plinian : material ejected in a tall column, spread in the atmosphere, and fell to earth like rain • Column was 20km (66,000 ft.) high • Began at midday, lasting 18 hours • Pelean :material flowed down sides of volcano as avalanches of gas, dust, and rock fragments (pryoclasts) • Lasted approx. 20 hours • High temperatures, and fast-flow caused majority of the damage • Buried numerous buildings, save for the roofs of high lying structures • Herculaneum buried under 23m (75 ft.) of ash • Animation of eruption sequence: http://urban.arch.virginia.edu/struct/pompeii/images/video/dobran-simulation.mpeg
Current Situation • 61 years of dormancy • Pop. Explosion from 200,000 (1944) to current 800,000 on the slopes • 3 million live within 10-mile radius • Continuous monitoring by seismic probes that ring volcano’s perimeter • Vesuvius will erupt again, but monitoring is hard • Long periods of rest that end in explosive eruptions • No signs of eruption since 1980
Issues • 15-20 days of prior notice required for evacuation, but possible • Pompeii was buried in 48hrs, and impossible to evacuate 800,000 • Weak response as residents refuse to budge • Naples notorious for disorganization and inertia • Cost of relocation of residents prohibitive approx. $40 billion in direct costs • Goodwill and other indirect costs escalate cost • Space constraints, and weak Sicilian economy • Politics, politics, politics…
Economic Issues • Campagna region crucial to Italian ecnomy-18% of Italian GNP • 138,000 enterprises function in Naples, employing 591,000 people • Tourism: region received 10.9 million tourists in 2001, 53% foreign • 51,000 agricultural enterprises- horticultural products worth €500m (2002) • One of Italy’s three main ports
Recommendations • Strengthen community awareness programs on emergency measure in case of eruption • Demolish poorly and illegally constructed structures • Prohibit additional settlement on slopes • Allow for increased control of region by central government • Improve the Southern Italy economy, reducing poverty • Establish long term (30 year) repatriation program • Involve financial incentives to leave surrounding regions • Provide housing and economic opportunities in new regions