Yes! Mount Vesuvius is considered an active volcano that sits on top of an extremely deep layer of magma—154 miles into the earth. Geologists think the volcano is overdue for an eruption, so it is likely to happen and it won't be pretty.

As of February 2026, Mount Vesuvius is in a state of "active rest" and is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world because of the 3 million people living in its shadow. While there is no immediate evidence of an imminent eruption, volcanologists at the Vesuvius Observatory monitor the mountain 24/7 for seismic activity and gas emissions. The general consensus is not a matter of if it will erupt, but when. The "most likely" scenario for the next eruption is a medium-low energy explosive event, rather than a repeat of the catastrophic 79 AD disaster. However, the Italian government has a robust emergency evacuation plan (the "Red Zone" plan) designed to move nearly 600,000 people within 72 hours. For 2026 travelers, it is perfectly safe to visit the crater and Pompeii, but it serves as a grounded "reality check" to remember that you are standing on a geological time bomb that is overdue for its next cycle of activity.