Journal: The Most Destructive Volcano

Besides the formation of huge mountain belts like the Himalayas, convergent plate boundaries are also responsible for nearly three-fourths of Earth's volcanoes. Some of the most dramatic volcanic eruptions in history are related to convergent plate boundaries. In AD 79, a huge volcanic eruption of Mt.Vesuvius sent tons of ash and other particles into the air around Pompeii, Italy. The entire town of more than 200,000 people was buried in the ash and forgotten until the town was excavated in 1748.

For this activity, do some research to find the most destructive volcanic eruption in history? Compile a short write-up of your findings in your journal. Where was the volcano located and how much damage did it do? How do you think plate tectonics contributes to volcanic activity?