Live Webcam View of Mount Vesuvius

More info: Mount Vesuvius is one of several volcanoes forming the Campanian volcanic arc. Others include Campi Flegrei, a large caldera a few kilometers to the north-west, Ischia, a volcanic island 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the west, and several undersea volcanoes to the south.

Vesuvius is most famous for the 79 AD eruption which destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The volcano's last eruption was in 1944, At first, activity was confined within the rim, until finally, on 18 March lava overflowed the rim. Lava flows destroyed nearby villages from 19 March through 22 March. On 24 March, an explosive eruption created an ash plume and a small pyroclastic flow - a high-density mix of hot lava blocks, pumice, ash and volcanic gas.