Vesuvius Volcano

Updated: Apr 8, 2025 19:14 GMT - refresh

Stratovolcano

Italy, 40.82°N / 14.43°E

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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.

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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.
Vesuvius volcano eruptions: 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

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location
Apr 8, 06:39 pm (Universal Time)	0.1 1 km	26 km (16 mi) to the W	Italy: Flegrei	Info
Apr 8, 08:20 pm (GMT +2)	0.8 1.7 km	25 km (16 mi) to the W	Italy: Flegrei	Info
Apr 8, 06:11 pm (Universal Time)	0.1 1 km	25 km (15 mi) to the W	Italy: Flegrei	Info
Apr 8, 08:09 pm (GMT +2)	0.8 2 km	25 km (15 mi) to the W	Italy: Flegrei	Info
Apr 8, 06:09 pm (Universal Time)	0.2 1.5 km	26 km (16 mi) to the W	Italy: Flegrei	Info
Apr 8, 05:40 pm (Universal Time)	0.7 2.5 km	26 km (16 mi) to the W	4.6 km southeast of Monterusciello, Napoli, Campania, Italy	Info
Apr 8, 05:14 pm (Universal Time)	0.4 3.4 km	25 km (15 mi) to the W	Italy: Flegrei	Info
Apr 8, 01:21 am (Universal Time)	1.3 4.7 km	27 km (17 mi) to the W	Campi Flegrei	Info
Monday, April 7, 2025 GMT (4 quakes)
Apr 7, 03:27 pm (GMT +2)	2.6 0.2 km	0.5 km (0.3 mi) to the E	6.3 km northeast of Torre del Greco, Napoli, Campania, Italy I FELT IT	Info

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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

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...

On the crater rim of Vesuvius volcano, with steaming vents in the background. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Vesuvius volcano aerial (June 2017) (Photo: Martin Rietze)

The excavations of the Roman town of Ercolaneo buried by pyroclastic flows from Vesuvius volcano in the 79 AD eruption. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

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Significant volcanic eruptions: 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.

Date	Note	VEI	Deaths	Damage
1913 Jul 5 - 1944 Apr 4	Summit and upper flanks Historical obs./docs.	3
1944 Mar 27 (eruption 1913 Jul 5 - 1944 Apr 4)	Historical obs./docs.	2	27		Info
1944 Mar 27: Roof collapses under tephra loads causing 12 deaths at Nocera and 9 at Pagani. Trees falling under tephra load or falling fragments at Terzigno killed 3. Two small boys were killed at San Sebastiano when lava exploded upon reaching a water tank. One elderly man killed himself, in sorrow at the desolation of San Sabastiano. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1875 Dec 18 - 1906 Apr 22	Summit and upper flanks Historical obs./docs.	4?
1906 Apr 4 (eruption 1875 Dec 18 - 1906 Apr 22)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	3	350		Info
1906 Apr 4: Nazarro suggests a total of 216 fatalities. Delme-Radcliff indicates approximately 300 killed and 300 injured: 105 killed and 90 injured in fall of church roof in San Giuseppe, 90 killed in collapse of house roofs, 90 killed in Ottaviano, 20 killed in San Gennaro, and about 50 others elsewhere including 14 killed in the collapse of the MOnte Oliveto Market in Naples. Lacroix indicates 3 deaths in a lava flow. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #1652 Lacroix, A. (1907): Eruption of Vesuvius in April 1906. Smithsonian Institution Annual Report for the Year End in June 30, 1906, p. 223-248. #1660 Nazarro, Antonio (1985): Il Vesuvio: storia naturale dal 1631 al 1944. Bollettino della Societa dei Naturalisti in Napoli, vol. XCIV, p. 99-124. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1905 Mar 10 (eruption 1875 Dec 18 - 1906 Apr 22)	Historical obs./docs.	2	1		Info
1905 Mar 10: One guide killed on rim and another injured by explosion. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
?? 1874 Jan	Uncertain Eruption	1
1873 (eruptive episode 1873)	Historical obs./docs.	0	9		Info
1873: Spring of 1873. Date probably mistaken for 1872 (Vesuvius not in eruption in 1873) but Fisher reported that 2 tourists fell white fleeing a slight eruption at the summit and were covered with lava; 7 others died of suffocation. (reference #9675) Cited references #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1870 Dec - 1872 Apr 30	Summit and upper NW and south flanks Historical obs./docs.	3
1872 Apr 24 (eruption 1870 Dec - 1872 Apr 30)	Historical obs./docs.	3	9		Info
1872 Apr 24: Young people in Valle del Inferno failed to notice retreat cut off by lava which trapped them between precipice of Monte Somma and active flow. Nazaro reported 9 killed and 11 injured, plus some fatalities from CO2. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #1660 Nazarro, Antonio (1985): Il Vesuvio: storia naturale dal 1631 al 1944. Bollettino della Societa dei Naturalisti in Napoli, vol. XCIV, p. 99-124. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1864 Feb 10 - 1868 Nov 26	Summit and upper SE flank Historical obs./docs.	2
1855 Dec 19 - 1861 Dec 31	Summit and SW flank (300-225 m) Historical obs./docs.	3
1854 Dec 14 - 1855 May 27	Summit and upper N flank Historical obs./docs.	3
1841 Sep 20 - 1850 Feb 16	Summit, upper N and E flanks Historical obs./docs.	2
1835 Jan - 1839 Jan 3	Summit, upper east and west flanks Historical obs./docs.	3
1824 Jul 2 - 1834 Sep 2	Summit, upper E and S flanks Historical obs./docs.	3
1796 Jan - 1822 Nov 16	Summit and upper flanks Historical obs./docs.	3?
1813 May (eruptive episode 1813 May)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	2			Info
1813 May: Mediterranean Tsunami Catalogue 1813, May 17.Campania. Cause: VA. Rel.: 1. Int. : 2 Date, volcanic explosivity index (VEI) and cone coordinates from Simkin et al. (1981). A period of explosions at the Vesuvius from May to December 28, 1813. The sea withdrew about 15-20 paces at Torre del Greco, Portici and Resina in an interval of a few minutes (Capocci, 1861a; Mercalli, 1883). Further references: Baratta (1901, 1931); Caputo and Faita (1984); Antonopoulos (1990); Tinti and Maramai (1996); Tinti et al. (2004); Soloviev et al. (2000). (above from reference #4139) Cited references #4139 Tsunami Risk and Strategies for the European region (TRANSFER) project (2009): Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Region Tsunami Catalogue (NEAMTWS), retrieved February 2009 from http://www.ioc-tsunami.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=282&Itemid=1102 Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1805 Aug 11 (eruption 1796 Jan - 1822 Nov 16)	Historical obs./docs.	2	4		Info
1805 Aug 11: Reports of fatalities and damage. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1783 Aug 18 - 1794 Jul 5	Summit and SW flank (550-300 m) Historical obs./docs.	3?
1794 Jun 15 (eruption 1783 Aug 18 - 1794 Jul 5)	Historical obs./docs.	3	400	heavy	Info
1794 Jun 15: 60 fatalities at Torre del Greco, with 80% of the town destroyed by lava flows. Several people died from CO2. Sapper reported 26 killed, possibly by lava flows. Hoffer described 15 deaths by lava flows and explosions when the lava reached the bay. Scandone et al. report a total of 400 fatlaities, and complete destruction (by mudflows and ashfall?) of S. Guiseppe, Ottaviano, and Somma. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #1637 Hoffer, William (1982): Volcano: The Search for Vesuvius. Summit Books, New York, New York, 189 p. #1667 Sapper, K. (1917): Katalog der Geschichtlichen Vulkanausbruche. Strasbourg: Karl J Trubner, 358 p #1668 Scandone R., L. Giacomelli L, and P. Gasparini (1993): Mount Vesuvius: 2000 years of volcanological observations. J Volc Geotherm Res, 58: 5-26 #6815 Hutton, C., Shaw, G., Pearson, R. (1809): The Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London from their Commencement, in 1665, to the year 1800. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1770 Feb 15 - 1779 Oct 4 ?	Summit, N, NE, SE and E flanks Historical obs./docs.	3?
1779 Aug 8 (eruption 1770 Feb 15 - 1779 Oct 4 ?)	Historical obs./docs.	2	1-50 (*)		Info
1779 Aug 8: Few deaths. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1764 - 1767 Oct 27	Summit, upper SW, SE, and NNW flanks Historical obs./docs.	3
1744 Nov - 1761 Jan 6	Summit, upper SE, E and lower S flanks Historical obs./docs.	3
1742 - 1743	Historical obs./docs.	1
1732 Dec 25 - 1737 Jun 4	Summit and SW flank Historical obs./docs.	3?
1737 May 20 (eruption 1732 Dec 25 - 1737 Jun 4)	Historical obs./docs.	2	2	moderate	Info
1737 May 20: Serious damage from tephra fall near end of 5-year eruption. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1724 Sep 4 - 1730 Apr 1 ?	Historical obs./docs.	3
1708 Aug 14 - 1723 Jul 8	Summit, upper east and south flanks Historical obs./docs.	3
1714 Jun 30	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	0
1701 Jul 1 - 1707 Aug 22	Summit and SW flank Historical obs./docs.	3

(*) Estimated numbers

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.

Sources: 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?

The last confirmed eruption of Vesuvius occurred during 1913 - 1944.

+How often does Vesuvius volcano erupt?

Since 217 BC, Vesuvius volcano has had at least 46 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 49 years.
Many eruptions of Vesuvius have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 327 out of 2242 years until now. In other words, Vesuvius has been active at least one in 6.9 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Vesuvius is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Vesuvius volcano at present?

Vesuvius volcano is very active: Since 1900, it has had 39 eruptions, and been active during 39 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Vesuvius has been in eruption one in 3.2 years on average. The last eruption was from 1913 until 1944 and ended 81 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Vesuvius volcano?

The largest eruption of Vesuvius volcano in historic times occurred during 1631 AD - 1632 AD. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 5 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.

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Vesuvius Volcano Tours

Naples, Eolian Islands, Etna (Italy)

Volcanoes of Italy - the Grand Tour

15-day study & walking tour to Italy's volcanoes from Vesuvius to Etna

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15 days (14 nights) - Easy to Moderate
Price 3890 €

3-17 Oct 2025

2-16 Oct 2026

Bay of Naples (Italy)

Italy's Volcanic Soul - the Bay of Naples

8-day tour in the Bay of Naples: Vesuvius, Pompeii, Erculaneum, Phlegrean Fields, and Ischia Island

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8 days / 7 nights - Easy to Moderate
Price 3250 €

Mai or June 2024

Vesuvius Volcano Maps

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).