No latest activity reported for Vesuvius.

Below is a summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

The following references are the sources used for data regarding this volcano. References are linked directly to our volcano data file. Discussion of another volcano or eruption (sometimes far from the one that is the subject of the manuscript) may produce a citation that is not at all apparent from the title. Additional discussion of data sources can be found under Volcano Data Criteria.

Alfano G B, Friedlander I, 1929. {La Storia del Vesuvio}. Naples: K Holm, 71 p, 107 plates

Andronico D, Cioni R, 2002. Contrasting styles of Mount Vesuvius activity in the period between the Avellino and Pompeii plinian eruptions, and some implications for assessment of future hazards. {Bull Volc}, 64: 372-391

Arrighi S, Principe C, Rosi M, 2001. Violent strombolian and subplinian eruptions at Vesuvius during post-1631 activity. {Bull Volc}, 63: 126-150

Bertagnini A, Landi P, Rosi M, Vigliargio A, 1998. The Pomici de Base plinian eruption of Somma-Vesuvius. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 83: 219-239

Bruno P P G, Rapolla A, 1999. Study of the sub-surface structure of Somma-Vesuvius (Italy) by seismic reflection data. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 92: 373-387

Bullard F M, 1976. {Volcanoes of the Earth}. Austin: Univ Texas Press, 579 p

Cioni R, Santacroce R, Sbrana A, 1999. Pyroclastic deposits as a guide for reconstructing the multi-stage evolution of the Somma-Vesuvius caldera. {Bull Volc}, 61: 207-222

Cioni R, Sulpizo R, Garruccio N, 2003. Variability of the eruption dynamics during a subplinian event: the Greenish Pumice eruption of Somma-Vesuvius (Italy). {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 124: 89-114

Civetta L, Santacroce R, 1991. Steady state magma supply in the last 3400 years of Vesuvius activity. {Acta Vulc}, 2: 147-159

Delibrias G, Di Paola G M, Rosi M, Santacroce R, 1979. La storia eruttiva del complesso vulcanico Somma Vesuvio ricostruita dalle successioni piroclastiche del Monte Somma. {Rendiconti Soc Italiana Min Petr}, 35: 411-438

Di Vito M A, Sulpizio R, Zanchetta G, D'Orazio M, 2008. The late Pleistocene pyroclastic deposits of the Campanian Plain: new insights into the explosive activity of Neapolitan volcanoes. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 177: 19-48

Fulignati P, Marinelli P, Metrich N, Santacroce R, Sbrana A, 2004. Towards a reconstruction of the magmatic feeding system of the 1944 eruption of Mt Vesuvius. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 133: 13-22

Green J, Short N M, 1971. {Volcanic Landforms and Surface Features: a Photographic Atlas and Glossary}. New York: Springer-Verlag, 519 p

Gurioli L, Houghton B R, Cashman K V, Cioni R, 2005. Complex changes in eruptive dynamics during the 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius. {Bull Volc}, 67: 144-159

Gurioli L, Sulpizio R, Cioni R, Sbrana A, Santacroce R, Luperini W, Andronico D, 2010. Pyroclastic flow hazard assessment at Somma-Vesuvius based on the geological record . {Bull Volc}, 72: 1021-1038

Imbo G, 1965. Italy. {Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World and Solfatara Fields}, Rome: IAVCEI, 18: 1-72

Katsui Y (ed), 1971. List of the World Active Volcanoes. {Volc Soc Japan draft ms}, (limited circulation), 160 p

Lirer L, Munno R, Postiglione I, Vinci A, Vitelli L, 1997. The A.D. 79 eruption as a future explosive scenario in the Vesuvian area: evaluation of associated risk. {Bull Volc}, 59: 112-124

Lirer L, Petrosino P, Alberico I, Postiglione I, 2001. Long-term volcanic hazard forecasts based on Somma-Vesuvio past eruptive activity. {Bull Volc}, 63: 45-60

Marianelli P, Metrich N, Sbrana A, 1999. Shallow and deep reservoirs involved in magma supply of the 1944 eruption of Vesuvius. {Bull Volc}, 61: 48-63

Mastrolorenzo G, Petrone P, Pappalardo L, Sheridan M F, 2006. The Avellino 3780-yr-B.P. catastrophe as a worst-case scenario for a future eruption at Vesuvius. {Proc Nat Acad Sci}, 103: 4366-4370

Milia A, Mirabile L, Torrente M M, Dvorak J J, 1998. Volcanism offshore of Vesuvius volcano in Naples Bay. {Bull Volc}, 59: 404-413

Peccerillo A, 2005. {Plio-Quaternary Volcanism in Italy}. Berlin: Springer, 365 p

Perrotta A, Scarpati C, Luongo G, Aoyagi M, 2006. Burial of Emperor Augustus' villa at Somma Vesuviana (Italy) by post-79 AD Vesuvius eruptions and reworked (lahars and stream flow) deposits. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 158: 445-466

Principe C, Marini L, 2008. Evolution of the Vesuvius magmatic-hydrothermal system before the 16 December 1631 eruption. {J Volc Geotherm Res), 171: 311-306

Principe C, Tanguy J-C, Arrighi S, Paiotti A, Le Goff M, Zoppi U, 2004. Chronology of Vesuvius' activity from A.D. 79 to 1631 based on archaeomagnetism of lavas and historical sources. {Bull Volc}, 66: 703-724

Rolandi G, Munno R, Postiglione I, 2004. The A.D. 472 eruption of the Somma volcano. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 129: 291-319

Rolandi G, Paone A, De Lascio M, Stefani G, 2008. The 79 AD eruption of Somma: the relationship between the date of the eruption and the southeast tephra dispersion. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 169: 87-98

Rolandi G, Petrosino P, McGeehin J, 1998. The interplinian activity at Somma-Vesuvius in the last 3500 years. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 82: 19-52

Rosi M, Santacroce R, Sbrana A, 1987. {Geological Map of Somma-Vesuvius Volcanic Complex}. CNR Progetto Finalizzato Geodinamica, Rome

Rosi M, Santacroce R, Sheridan M, 1981. Volcanic hazards of Vesuvius (Italy). {Bull BRGM}, 4: 169-179

Sandri L, Guidoboni E, Marzocchi W, Selva J, 2009. Bayesian event tree for eruption forecasting (BET_EF) at Vesuvius, Italy: a retrospective forward application to the 1631 eruption. {Bull Volc}, 71: 729-745

Santacroce R , Cioni R, Marianelli P, Sbrana A, Sulpizio R, Zanchetta G, Donahue D J, Joron J L, 2008. Age and whole rock-glass compositions of proximal pyroclastics from the major explosive eruptions of Somma-Vesuvius: a review as a tool for distal tephrochronology. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 177: 1-18

Scandone R, Giacomelli L, Speranza F F, 2008. Persistent activity and violent strombolian eruptions at Vesuvius between 1631 and 1944. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 170: 167-180

Sulpizio R, Bonasia R, Dellino P, Mele D, Di Vito M A, La Volpe L, 2010. The Pomici de Avellino eruption of Somma-Vesuvius (3.9 ks BP). Part II: sedimentology and physical volcanology of pyroclastic density current deposits. {Bull Volc}, 72: 559-577

Sulpizio R, Cioni R, Di Vito M A, Mele D, Bonasia R, Dellino P, 2010. The Pomici de Avellino eruption of Somma-Vesuvius (3.9 ks BP). Part I: stratigraphy, compositional variability and eruptive dynamics. {Bull Volc}, 72: 539-558

Sulpizio R, Mele D, Dellino P, La Volpe L, 2005. A complex, subplinian-type eruption from low-viscosity, phonolitic to tephri-phonolitic magma: the AD 472 (Pollena) eruption of Somma-Vesuvius. {Bull Volc}, 67: 743-767

Trigila R, De Benedetti A A, 1993. Petrogenesis of Vesuvius historical lavas constrained by Pearce element ratios analysis and experimental phase equilibria. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 58: 315-343

One of the world's most noted volcanoes, Vesuvius (Vesuvio) forms a dramatic backdrop to the Bay of Naples. The historically active cone of Vesuvius was constructed within a large caldera of the ancestral Monte Somma volcano, thought to have formed incrementally beginning about 17,000 years ago. The Monte Somma caldera wall has channeled lava flows and pyroclastic flows primarily to the south and west. Eight major explosive eruptions have taken place in the last 17,000 years, often accompanied by large pyroclastic flows and surges, such as during the well-known 79 AD Pompeii eruption. Intermittent eruptions since 79 AD were followed by a period of frequent long-term explosive and effusive eruptions beginning in 1631 and lasting until 1944. The 1631 eruption was the largest since 79 AD and produced devastating pyroclastic flows that reached as far as the coast and caused great destruction. Many towns are located on the volcano's flanks, and several million people live within areas potentially affected by eruptions of Vesuvius.