Volcano and Herculaneum - October 2004

The volcano, Herculaneum and Pompei can be somewhat considered to be part of the metropolitan area of Naples. This volcano is one of the most studied active volcanos in the world and it is the one that was responsible for the burial of both Pompei and Herculaneum. However, Herculaneum was not burried by the ashes but a mudslide caused by the erruption of the volcano. So, Herculaneum was better preserved. Almost none of the buildings in Pompei were left fully intact unlike some of the buildings in Herculaneum. Another difference between the two is that Herculaneum was a city for the wealthy and its population was about one fifth that of Pompei. The sturctures of the city were very similar though.