Magma reservoir growth and ground deformation preceding the 79 CE Plinian eruption of Vesuvius

Abstract The 79 CE eruption of Vesuvius is the first documented Plinian eruption, also famous for archaeological ruins Pompeii and Herculaneum. Although much known regarding dynamics magma reservoir, little about reservoir shape growth, related ground deformation. Numerical modelling by Finite Element Method was carried out, aimed at simulating growth deformation with respect to (prolate, spherical, oblate) overpressure. tuned volcanological, petrological paleoenvironmental constraints. Results indicate that highest overpressure achieved considering a prolate making it as most likely led eruption. Similar deformations but lower overpressures are obtained spherical oblate reservoirs. These results demonstrate may not be indicative probability, style/size, this has direct implications on surveillance active explosive volcanoes.