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At present there are over 1400 active
volcanoes on this planet. Many of these are either at sea or in remote places
where they present little risk to anyone. A small number are situated in the
middle of populated areas and, although inactive, have troublesome histories.
One is Mt. Rainier, which overlooks Seattle, and the other is Mt. Vesuvius,
which dominates the Bay of Naples. One does not have to look far beyond the
shattered remnants of the Roman city of Pompeii to understand the risk that
Vesuvius presents today. The volcano has remained dormant since 1944, but
geological evidence suggests that Vesuvius is on the move again. The city of
Pozzouli is being torn apart. Over two million people live under the shadows of
Vesuvius. This program will look at new scientific measurements of this infamous
volcano, at the threat posed by a new eruption, and at the historical day of
August 24, 79AD, when Pompeii died.
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