World Map › Major Eruptions › Vesuvius 1631
Historic Eruption
1631 Eruption of Vesuvius
16 December 1631 · Stratovolcano · Italy
On 16 December 1631, Vesuvius in Italy erupted. The volcano rises to 1,281 m. Its Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is 5 out of 8, that of a paroxysmal eruption ejecting more than 1 km³ of material. It killed at least 4,000 people. Most deaths were caused by pyroclastic flows, lightning and lahars (volcanic mudflows). It is the 15th deadliest eruption recorded by NOAA.
- Date
- 16 December 1631
- Volcano
- Vesuvius
- Volcano Type
- Stratovolcano
- Elevation
- 1,281 m
- Country
- Italy
- Explosivity Index (VEI)
- 5 out of 8
- Deaths
- 4,000
- Homes Destroyed
- more than 1,000
- Estimated Damage
- more than 25 million US dollars
- Main Causes of Death
- Pyroclastic Flows, Lightning, Lahars
Other Significant Eruptions of Vesuvius
- 1944March 1944 Eruption · VEI 3 · Ash and Tephra, Lava Flows, Indirect Effects (Famine, Disease)27 deaths
- 1906April 1906 Eruption · VEI 3 · Ash and Tephra, Lava Flows350 deaths
- 1905March 1905 Eruption · VEI 2 · Ash and Tephra1 death
- 18731873 Eruption · Volcanic Gases, Ash and Tephra9 deaths
- 1872April 1872 Eruption · VEI 3 · Lava Flows, Volcanic Gases9 deaths
- 1805August 1805 Eruption · VEI 24 deaths
- 1794June 1794 Eruption · VEI 3 · Lahars, Lava Flows, Ash and Tephra, Volcanic Gases400 deaths
- 1779August 1779 Eruption · VEI 3
- 1737May 1737 Eruption · VEI 3 · Ash and Tephra2 deaths
- 1682August 1682 Eruption · VEI 34 deaths
- 787787 Eruption · VEI 3
- 7979 Eruption · VEI 5 · Pyroclastic Flows, Ash and Tephra2,100 deaths
- 2420 BCE2420 BCE Eruption · VEI 5 · Pyroclastic Flows, Ash and Tephra
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database (doi:10.7289/V5JW8BSH) · Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program