THE POMICI DI MERCATO ERUPTION (8.000 years)

The deposits of Pomici di Mercato eruption (8,000 years ago), otherwise known as the eruption of "Pomici Gemelle" or "Ottaviano", typically consists of two fallout pumice layers at the base, stratified at the higher part, and separated by a thin pyroclastic surge bed. Locally the fallout layers are interspered with flow and surge beds. A third pumice fallout deposit close the succession at the top.
The fallout deposits are distributed toward E-NE with a thickness of about 50 cm, even as far as 30 km or more from the crater of Vesuvius; flow and surge deposits did not reach significant distances.
This eruption was also accompanied by the formation of a caldera on the summit.