The Next Pompeii | Full Documentary | NOVA | PBS

In the shadow of Vesuvius and Pompeii, a lesser-known volcano puts the city of Naples at risk. (Aired February 20, 2019)

In the shadow of Italy’s Vesuvius, a lesser-known volcano rumbles: Campi Flegrei. An eruption could endanger the millions of residents of the city of Naples. Scientists gain new insights into what happened in nearby Pompeii, and dig into the unique geology of Campi Flegrei. How will they know if the ever-shifting ground is reaching a breaking point? And can an innovative eruption warning system prevent Naples becoming the next Pompeii?

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:00 The Remains of Pompeii
09:00 Is Mount Vesuvius Still Active?
16:47 Why Did the Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius Kill So Many People?
27:28 A Second Volcanic Threat to Naples
50:28 Conclusion

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This program was produced by GBH, which is solely responsible for its content.

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[MsDemonBunny]

NOVA is the best. They know how to do documentaries correctly. Engaging presentation, no oddball theories or random conspiracies to try to hold attention, and seemingly with the idea that the viewing audience had a measure of intelligence.
Kudos! Well done, NOVA.

[Lemmon_]

It's these kind of docs that have kept me watching NOVA since I was a kid in the 70's.

[FrankJohnson-dv]

Nova is, by far, THE BEST that's left of TV, period 🥰👌👍👍👏

[richsouthall]

NOVA is the GOLD standard for documentaries hands down. Superbly written and produced with the great graphics and imagery.

[jimmylightfinger]

NOVA and Frontline...the best TV has to offer.

[Skunk]

Docs on Earths great geo features never get old because the science and current understanding keep evolving so quickly.
Thanks for another great one on this region!

[diamondperidot]

I Love NOVA!! I have watched since I was a child and have never been disappointed.

[chefscorner]

NOVA puts out some of the best Documentaries found in any format. This wasn't an exception to that rule. ;)

[dan]

I remember being in awe of the fate of Pompei when I first learned about it in the 7th grade... and it's still amzaing!

[robertjennings]

Unfortunately, NOVA didn't mention that Campi Flagrei is a super volcano. One of its eruptions 40, 000 years ago was 200 times bigger than Mount Saint Helens, and deposited meters of ash as far away as Russia.

[dforrest]

Campe Flegrei has caused much more ground deformation since this initially aired. Worrisome.

[BessintheWorld]

Nova is a PBS program. If you love it don’t forget to support public television!❤❤

[CoolHand]

I thought I knew all about this stuff but I learned quite a bit more about the Naples area and its geologic hazards. Great job as usual NOVA.

[mascadadelpantion]

One of the best documentaries you can find on youtube

[mikebailey]

As a member of the US Navies 6th Fleet, I spent a lot of time in Naples and the surrounding areas. The places are beautiful and the people are for the most part friendly. I was not aware however of the evidence under the streets, of a major eruption in the distant past. These cities were built many years before the people understood the geological dangers they faced. An eruption of equal or even lesser size could mean the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. If I was a resident of Naples right now....I believe I would be looking for another place to live.

[yensid]

Even with all the dramatic flourishes some people are complaining about, it was interesting to see the geologic explanation of what causes an eruption & the steps the authorities are taking to monitor the volcanic activity to have an early warning system in place. They have been trying to do the same on the US west coast regarding earthquakes & tsunamis. We also have several volcanoes here. Mt. Ranier in WA, Mt. Hood in OR, Mt. Mazama (Crater Lake) in OR & Mt. St. Helens in WA. Calif has 29 including Mt. Shasta. Monitoring them & gathering data is important.

[westerntanager]

Like many, I've always been fascinated by Pompeii and ancient Rome as well. So like us in some ways and yet so different. Today, I live in an area with several active volcanoes, Washington State. We not only have these ring of fire volcanoes, but a major subduction zone. Unlike the ancients, we understand what all this means and yet we live here. Odd, isn't it? Anyway that Pompeiian baker may have survived. Bread with his stamp has been excavated elsewhere according to another source. Yes, they signed their bread!

[deannacallahan]

Probably the biggest warning sign of an imminent eruption would be harmonic tremors; I'm surprised the documentary didn't even mention that, considering how much they monitor both volcanoes.

[julierobertson]

I continue to be impressed by how many objects and actions already existing in the environment can be used to provide precisely the information we need to predict natural phenomena. The use of the sound produced by waves against the shore as a means to locate and track magma chambers is nothing less than brilliant.

[dttttt]

We visited the Pompeii exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and they talked about the increased activity, and said if you want to see Pompeii in person, maybe don't wait to go. Go soon.