About
World's oldest volcanology research center.
In 1841, Ferdinand II founded the Vesuvius Observatory to monitor the volcanoes near Naples that were active. Although Mount Vesuvius is the obvious threat, having destroyed the area in 79 AD in a massive eruption, destroying the nearby Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the entire area surrounding Naples is a volcanic hotspot. Both the Ischia volcano and the Campi Flegrei volcano pose additional dangers to the region.
