Geology and Geography of the Bay of Naples
The Bay of Naples is located on the southwest coast of Italy, in the Campania region. The bay is bordered by the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Phlegraean Fields. There is a convergent plate boundary between the Eurasian and African plates near the Bay of Naples which makes the area seismically and volcanically active. The agricultural richness in the region can be attributed to the volcanic soil.
Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks are one of the three main types of rocks found on Earth. These rocks are volcanic and can be found pretty much everywhere around the bay of Naples. Scoria and pumice are among some of the most abundant igneous rocks around Sorrento.
Volcanoes
There are two main active volcanoes in the Bay of Naples region. These volcanoes include Vesuvius and Campi Flegri. The city of Naples is located in between both of these volcanoes and today around 500,000 people live inside the caldera of Campi Flegri.
Erosion
The Sorrentine Peninsula is made up of sea cliffs all along the coastline. These cliffs are mostly made up of tufa rock (which is very prone to erosion). Wave action in the Bay of Naples results in the evolution of coastlines and and creation of sea caves.
Human Geography
Agriculture, topography and proximity to water are all factors that lead people to live in the Bay of Naples. Agriculture is so successful in the region because volcanic soil is some of the most fertile soil in the world. Proximity to the sea is great for trading and allows easier exchange of goods.
