named after
Mount Vesuvius's eruptions in 79 AD,
vesuvian eruptions involve the explosive ejection of large volumes of
viscous lava and the continual ejection of great quantities of
gas,
pumice, and
ash which can form huge
clouds whose
fallout can effect areas hundreds of miles downwind.
pyroclastic flows and
caldera collapse are commonly associated with this type of eruption. the eruptions of
Mount St. Helens and
Mount Pinatubo are examples of large
vesuvian eruptions.
see also:
plinian eruption