volcano near Naples, of unknown origin; perhaps from Celtic root *ves- "mountain" or Oscan fesf "smoke, steam."
Volcano, in southwestern Italy on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Note: It is the only active volcano on the mainland of Europe. (Another, Mount Etna, is on the island of Sicily.)
Note: One of its earliest recorded eruptions, in a.d. 79, buried Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae under cinders, ash, and mud.