| RSS | EN | DE | EL | ES | FR | IT | RU

Vesuvius Volcán

Updated: 5 jul. 2025 21:58 GMT -
Stratovolcano
Italia, 40.82°N / 14.43°E
Summit height: 1281 m
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 8 jul 2024
Vesuvius volcano near Naples, Italy, seen from the air. The rim of the remnant of the older Somma volcano which collapsed in the 79 AD Plinian eruption is clearly visible to the left of the new Cono Grande cone with its crater.
Vesuvius volcano near Naples, Italy, seen from the air. The rim of the remnant of the older Somma volcano which collapsed in the 79 AD Plinian eruption is clearly visible to the left of the new Cono Grande cone with its crater.

[smaller] [larger]
Typical eruption style: Mainly explosive. I detail, Vesuvius has 4 typical types of eruptions:
1. Plinian (such as the 79 AD Pompeii eruption): extremely large explosive eruptions producing several to several tens of cubic km of magma in a very short time.
2. Sub-Plinian explosive eruptions (such as the 1631 eruption). They are similar in style, but smaller than true Plinian events.
3. Strombolian and Vulcanian eruptions (several examples during the 1631-1944 period, e.g. 1906 and 1944). Such eruptions produce local heavy tephra falls, small pyroclastic flows, as well as large fire fountains and lava flows.
4. The smallest, but most frequent type of activity observed at Vesuvius is persistent Strombolian to Hawaiian-style activity that prevailed during much of the period between 1631 and 1944. This activity is usually limited to the central crater, and sometimes to flank vents. Lava flows and lava fountains have been frequently observed during such periods of activity.
Erupciones del volcán Vesuvius: 1796 - 1822, 1824 - 1834, 1835 - 1839, 1841 - 16 February 1850, 1854 - 1855, 1855 - 1861, 1864 - 1868, 1870 - 1872, 1875 - 1906, 1913 - 4 April 1944

Latest nearby earthquakes

Fecha y horaMag / Prof.Distancia / Ubicación
5 jul 22:26 (GMT +2)
0.1

1 km
29 km al oeste 1.7 km al noroeste de Pozzuoli, Napoles, Campania, Italia Más
5 jul 21:26 (GMT +2)
1.2

2.7 km
22 km al oeste 3.5 km al suroeste de Fuorigrotta, Napoles, Campania, Italia Más
5 jul 19:30 (GMT +2)
0.2

2.5 km
23 km al oeste Mar Tirreno, 23 km al noreste de Isquia , Napoles, Campania, Italia Más
5 jul 12:53 (GMT +2)
0.3

2.4 km
25 km al oeste 3.3 km al este de Pozzuoli, Napoles, Campania, Italia Más
5 jul 12:30 (GMT +2)
0.4

3 km
22 km al oeste Mar Tirreno, 23 km al noreste de Isquia , Napoles, Campania, Italia Más
5 jul 10:48 (GMT +2)
0.1

2.7 km
22 km al oeste 9.8 km al suroeste de Nápoles, Napoles, Campania, Italia Más
5 jul 08:46 (Tiempo Universal)
1.0

2.7 km
22 km al oeste Mar Tirreno, 23 km al noreste de Isquia , Napoles, Campania, Italia Más
jueves, 3 julio 2025 GMT (1 sismo)
3 jul 09:00 (GMT +2)
2.6

2.3 km
23 km al oeste 10.1 km al oeste de Nápoles, Napoles, Campania, ItaliaI FELT IT - 1 reportMás
lunes, 30 junio 2025 GMT (2 sismos)
30 jun 10:51 (Tiempo Universal)
2.2

4.4 km
26 km al oeste Mar Tirreno, 19 km al noreste de Isquia , Napoles, Campania, Italia Más

Background

Vesuvius ("Vesuvio" in Italian) is probably not only the most famous, but also one, if not the most dangerous volcano on Earth. The first eyewitness account of a volcanic eruption that has been preserved has come to us from Vesuvius: In 79 AD, after a century-long slumber, the volcano woke up with terrifying power in an eruption that buried several Roman towns like Pompeii and Herculaneum under several meters of ash. Today, parts of these cities have been excavated and are among the most remarkable archaeological sites of the world, allowing us to have an excellent view on Roman life and culture, where time and life had been frozen in a moment.

Geologically, Mt. Vesuvius, or more correctly the Somma-Vesuvius complex, is about 400,000 years old, as dating of lava sampled drilled from over 1,300 m depth have shown. Present-day Vesuvius is a medium-sized typical stratovolcano volcano reaching a height of 1,281 m a.s.l. It comprises the older volcano, the Somma, whose summit collapsed (likely during the 79 AD eruption), creating a caldera, and the younger volcano, Vesuvius, which since then has re-grown inside this caldera and formed a new cone. Although in a dormant phase at present, Vesuvius is an extremely active volcano and particular for its unusually varied style of activity: it ranges from Hawaiian-style emission of very liquid lava, extreme lava fountains, lava lakes and lava flows, over Strombolian and Vulcanian eruptions to violently explosive, Plinian eruptions that produce large pyroclastic flows.

When one thinks about Vesuvius volcano today, one aspect is eminent: due to the dense population surrounding it, and ever climbing higher and higher up on its slopes, it is certainly among Earth's most dangerous volcanoes. It is estimated that ore than 500,000 people live in the zone immediately threatened by a future eruption. When this happens is not known; it is possible that Vesuvius has entered into one of its typically century-long lasting phases of dormancy, but volcanoes can be unpredictable. The situation in the Gulf of Naples is further complicated by the presence of another highly active, and potentially as dangerous volcano: the Campi Flegrei, located immediately under a large part of the modern city of Naples proper.

Vesuvius Volcano Photos

Erupciones volcánicas significativas: Vesuvius volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Vesuvius has had at least 54 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 46 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 7 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Vesuvius volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Vesuvius volcano since around 1700. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Vesuvius can be found on the news page of Vesuvius volcano.
FechaNotaVEIFallecidosDaños
1913 jul 5 - 1944 abr 4Summit and upper flanks
Obs. históricas/documentos
3
desconocido
1944 mar 27
(erupción 1913 jul 5 - 1944 abr 4)
Obs. históricas/documentos
227
desconocido
Información
1875 dic 18 - 1906 abr 22Summit and upper flanks
Obs. históricas/documentos
4?
desconocido
1906 abr 4
(erupción 1875 dic 18 - 1906 abr 22)
Tsunami registrado
Obs. históricas/documentos
3350
desconocido
Información
1905 mar 10
(erupción 1875 dic 18 - 1906 abr 22)
Obs. históricas/documentos
21
desconocido
Información
?? 1874 ene
Erupción incierta
1
desconocido
1873
(episodio eruptivo 1873)
Obs. históricas/documentos
09
desconocido
Información
1870 dic - 1872 abr 30Summit and upper NW and south flanks
Obs. históricas/documentos
3
desconocido
1872 abr 24
(erupción 1870 dic - 1872 abr 30)
Obs. históricas/documentos
39
desconocido
Información
1864 feb 10 - 1868 nov 26Summit and upper SE flank
Obs. históricas/documentos
2
desconocido
1855 dic 19 - 1861 dic 31Summit and SW flank (300-225 m)
Obs. históricas/documentos
3
desconocido
1854 dic 14 - 1855 may 27Summit and upper N flank
Obs. históricas/documentos
3
desconocido
1841 sep 20 - 1850 feb 16Summit, upper N and E flanks
Obs. históricas/documentos
2
desconocido
1835 ene - 1839 ene 3Summit, upper east and west flanks
Obs. históricas/documentos
3
desconocido
1824 jul 2 - 1834 sep 2Summit, upper E and S flanks
Obs. históricas/documentos
3
desconocido
1796 ene - 1822 nov 16Summit and upper flanks
Obs. históricas/documentos
3?
desconocido
1813 may
(episodio eruptivo 1813 may)
Tsunami registrado
Obs. históricas/documentos
2
desconocido
Información
1805 ago 11
(erupción 1796 ene - 1822 nov 16)
Obs. históricas/documentos
24
desconocido
Información
1783 ago 18 - 1794 jul 5Summit and SW flank (550-300 m)
Obs. históricas/documentos
3?
desconocido
1794 jun 15
(erupción 1783 ago 18 - 1794 jul 5)
Obs. históricas/documentos
3400
pesado
Información
1770 feb 15 - 1779 oct 4 ?Summit, N, NE, SE and E flanks
Obs. históricas/documentos
3?
desconocido
1779 ago 8
(erupción 1770 feb 15 - 1779 oct 4 ?)
Obs. históricas/documentos
21-50 (*)
desconocido
Información
1764 - 1767 oct 27Summit, upper SW, SE, and NNW flanks
Obs. históricas/documentos
3
desconocido
1744 nov - 1761 ene 6Summit, upper SE, E and lower S flanks
Obs. históricas/documentos
3
desconocido
1742 - 1743
Obs. históricas/documentos
1
desconocido
1732 dic 25 - 1737 jun 4Summit and SW flank
Obs. históricas/documentos
3?
desconocido
1737 may 20
(erupción 1732 dic 25 - 1737 jun 4)
Obs. históricas/documentos
22
moderado
Información
1724 sep 4 - 1730 abr 1 ?
Obs. históricas/documentos
3
desconocido
1708 ago 14 - 1723 jul 8Summit, upper east and south flanks
Obs. históricas/documentos
3
desconocido
1714 jun 30Tsunami registrado
Obs. históricas/documentos
0
desconocido
1701 jul 1 - 1707 ago 22Summit and SW flank
Obs. históricas/documentos
3
desconocido
(*) Números estimados
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Fuentes: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Vesuvius Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Vesuvius volcano?

+How often does Vesuvius volcano erupt?

+How active is Vesuvius volcano at present?

+When was the largest eruption of Vesuvius volcano?

Últimas imágenes satelitales

Vesuvius imagen satelital sat1Vesuvius imagen satelital sat2
Vesuvius Tours de volcanes
Naples, Eolian Islands, Etna (Italy)
Volcanoes of Italy - the Grand Tour
15-day study & walking tour to Italy's volcanoes from Vesuvius to Etna
15 days (14 nights) - Easy to Moderate
Price 3890 €
3-17 oct 2025
2-16 oct 2026
8-day tour in the Bay of Naples: Vesuvius, Pompeii, Erculaneum, Phlegrean Fields, and Ischia Island
8 days / 7 nights - Easy to Moderate
Price 3250 €
Mai or June 2024

Vesuvius Volcán Mapas

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Vesuvius volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Volcanoes & Earthquakes - new app for Android
Guaranteed tours
1-17 ago 2025: Volcanoes and Spices - Halmahera N-Sulawesi (Indonesia)
1-14 oct 2025: Desert, salt and volcanoes - Danakil desert (Ethiopia)
4-12 oct 2025: From Stromboli to Etna - Sicily and Eolian Islands (Italy)
6-21 oct 2025: From Krakatau to Bali - Java (Indonesia)
3-19 nov 2025: Volcanoes and Spices - Halmahera N-Sulawesi (Indonesia)
= spaces available   = guaranteed   = few spaces left   = booked out
Vesuius volcano looming over the citiy of Naples and the Gulf of Naples
Vesuius volcano looming over the citiy of Naples and the Gulf of Naples
Vesuvius in eruption, August 1779. This eruption was produced a spectacular lava fountains rising several km above the summit, and devastating tephra falls northeast of the volcano. Note the large glowing bombs in the fallout! (Image from Alfano and Friedlaender, 1928, La storia del Vesuvio. Napoli: K Holm, 71p.)
Vesuvius in eruption, August 1779. This eruption was produced a spectacular lava fountains rising several km above the summit, and devastating tephra falls northeast of the volcano. Note the large glowing bombs in the fallout! (Image from Alfano and Friedlaender, 1928, La storia del Vesuvio. Napoli: K Holm, 71p.)

En esta página:

Try our free app!
Volcanoes & Earthquakes - new app for Android
Android | iOS version

More on VolcanoDiscovery

Why is there advertising on this site?

Support us - Help us upgrade our services!

We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world. Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources.
We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please make a donation (PayPal).

Planned features:Thanks to your past donations, these features have been added recently:
Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online:
Android | IOS
Thank you!
Sources: VolcanoDiscovery / VolcanoAdventures and other sources as noted.
Use of material: Most text and images on our websites are owned by us. Re-use is generally not permitted without authorization. Contact us for licensing rights.
Volcanoes & Earthquakes
VolcanoDiscovery Home
Volcanes | Sismos | Fotos | News | | Shop | App
Adventure & Study Travel
Tours to Volcanoes and Volcanic Areas: walking tours, photo tours, study tours
Tours & Dates | FAQ | About us
Get our newsletter!
Company info
Contact | Legal info | Terms & conditions
Follow us
Follow us on facebook Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Twitter Visit our Youtube channel
EN | DE | EL | ES | FR | IT | RU
VolcanoDiscovery GmbH, Germany, Reg. nr.: HRB 103744, EU Tax Id: DE 297 465 123 owned and created by
Dr. Tom Pfeiffer, volcanologist, volcano photographer, tour organizer member of
IAVCEI
IAVCEI
Vulkanologische Gesellschaft
Volcanological Society
Ecotourism Greece
Ecotourism Greece
RUV insurance
Insured by R+V
VolcanoDiscovery © 2004- All Rights Reserved | Privacy - Cookie Settings