Vesuvian eruption

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | 552 words | Copyright

Vesuvian eruption (sub-Plinian eruption) A type of volcanic activity marked by very explosive eruptions which occur after long periods of dormancy, during which gas pressures in the underlying magma have built up sufficiently to eject the plug of solid lava from the vent. Escaping gases, exsolved in the magma, produce a mobile, frothy lava (pumice) and clouds of ash and gases are released into the air. See VOLCANO. Compare HAWAIIAN ERUPTION; PELÉEAN ERUPTION; PLINIAN ERUPTION; STROMBOLIAN ERUPTION; SURTSEYAN ERUPTION; and VULCANIAN ERUPTION.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Vesuvian eruption." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Vesuvian eruption." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-Vesuvianeruption.html