Commemorating the Last Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1944: A Blend of History, Education, and Civil Protection

It was March 18, 1944, when Mount Vesuvius erupted for the last time. After 2 months of significant activity marked by an effusive phase, indeed, the volcano unleashed its explosive power starting from 4:30 PM, raising a column of ash more than 5 km into the sky. The eruption lasted a few days, during which it partially destroyed the small intra-crater scoria cone and various settlements. Today, 80 years after the event, the Vesuvius Observatory of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Department of Civil Protection, Civil Protection of the Campania Region, and the Vesuvius National Park Authority, with the collaboration of the Regional School Office for Campania and the Municipality of Ercolano, organize 'Knowing and living Vesuvius 80 years after the last eruption', 3 days also dedicated to promoting civil protection activities through guided tours that can develop knowledge of the volcano and awareness of the risk. The events, dedicated to families and students, will be held between March 17 and 19 at the historic headquarters of the Vesuvius Observatory and the locations of the volcano. The visits will be free, the day of March 17 is open to everyone - with departures staggered every hour, up to 50 people, starting from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM upon mandatory reservation through the website of the Vesuvius Observatory www.ov.ingv.it - while the days of March 18 and 19 are dedicated to schools that have joined the program. The program includes a visit to the historic headquarters of the Vesuvius Observatory and the screening of an exclusive film on the eruption of 1944 and a walk along trail no. 9 of the Vesuvius National Park to deepen the naturalistic aspects of the volcano, the characteristics of the risk, and the activities of civil protection.