10 Cities That Were Devastated by Volcanic Eruptions

Volcanoes have played a dual role in human history. On one hand, they’ve been a source of life, creating fertile lands that have supported civilizations for millennia. The minerals in volcanic soil make it rich and productive, ideal for growing crops and sustaining communities. On the other hand, volcanoes are among the most destructive natural forces on Earth. When they erupt, the results can be catastrophic, leveling cities, displacing populations, and ending lives in an instant.

Throughout history, numerous cities have faced the wrath of volcanic eruptions. Some of these cities were completely buried and lost for centuries, while others have risen again, rebuilt on the ashes of the past. In this article, we explore ten such cities that have been destroyed by volcanic eruptions—testaments to both nature’s power and humanity’s resilience.

1. Pompeii, Italy – Mount Vesuvius (79 AD)

Perhaps the most famous volcanic disaster in history, the city of Pompeii was annihilated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The eruption released a cloud of gas, ash, and pumice that buried the city and its inhabitants in minutes. Over 2,000 people perished, and the city was lost under volcanic debris for over 1,500 years.

Rediscovered in the 18th century, Pompeii is now one of the world’s most important archaeological sites, providing an eerily preserved snapshot of Roman life. Tourists today walk the same streets and see homes, frescoes, and shops frozen in time.

2. Herculaneum, Italy – Mount Vesuvius (79 AD)

Herculaneum, a neighboring city to Pompeii, also suffered a similar fate during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Unlike Pompeii, which was buried in ash, Herculaneum was engulfed in volcanic mud and pyroclastic material, which helped preserve wood, food, and even scrolls.

Fewer people died in Herculaneum, but many bodies were later discovered in boat houses near the shoreline, showing their desperate attempt to flee. Today, Herculaneum is also an archaeological treasure, less crowded than Pompeii but just as fascinating.

3. St. Pierre, Martinique – Mount Pelée (1902)

Once called the “Paris of the Caribbean,” the city of St. Pierre was completely destroyed by the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902. Within minutes, a pyroclastic flow—a fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic matter—swept through the city, killing nearly all of its 30,000 residents.

Miraculously, one man survived: a prisoner in a solitary confinement cell with thick stone walls. Today, St. Pierre is a quiet coastal town, with ruins still visible and a museum dedicated to the eruption’s history.

4. Armero, Colombia – Nevado del Ruiz (1985)

The 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz wasn’t particularly powerful, but it triggered a deadly lahar—a fast-moving mudflow created when volcanic activity melts glaciers. The lahar traveled down the mountainside and engulfed the town of Armero, burying it under tons of mud and debris.

Over 23,000 people lost their lives in what became Colombia’s worst natural disaster. The tragedy of Armero remains a painful memory and a stark reminder of the dangers of underestimating volcanic threats.

5. Plymouth, Montserrat – Soufrière Hills (1995–1997)

In the 1990s, the Soufrière Hills volcano awakened after centuries of dormancy, leading to the destruction of Plymouth, the capital of Montserrat. Over the course of several years, the city was blanketed with ash and pyroclastic flows, rendering it uninhabitable.

The government relocated the capital, and much of the southern half of the island remains an exclusion zone. Plymouth is now a modern-day ghost town—still standing, but completely abandoned.

6. Akrotiri, Greece – Thera (Santorini) Eruption (~1600 BC)

Often linked to the legend of Atlantis, the Minoan settlement of Akrotiri on the island of Santorini was buried by one of the largest volcanic eruptions in human history around 1600 BC. The Thera eruption devastated the island and may have contributed to the decline of the Minoan civilization.

The ash preserved buildings, frescoes, and artifacts, making Akrotiri a key archaeological site. Unlike Pompeii, no bodies have been found, suggesting residents may have evacuated before the eruption.

7. Cagsawa, Philippines – Mayon Volcano (1814)

The Mayon Volcano, known for its near-perfect cone shape, erupted violently in 1814, burying the town of Cagsawa in lava and ash. More than 1,200 people died, many of whom took shelter in the Cagsawa Church, whose bell tower still stands as a haunting reminder.

Today, the Cagsawa Ruins are a popular tourist destination, offering stunning views of Mayon and a solemn connection to the area’s history of volcanic destruction.

8. Rabaul, Papua New Guinea – Tavurvur Volcano (1994)

The town of Rabaul was nearly destroyed in 1994 when Tavurvur, one of the volcanoes in the surrounding caldera, erupted. Ash and lava flows devastated much of the town, forcing a mass evacuation.

Despite the destruction, there were relatively few deaths due to timely warnings. A new town was built nearby, and Rabaul remains an important hub in East New Britain, though much of the original town lies buried beneath volcanic debris.

9. Heimaey, Iceland – Eldfell Volcano (1973)

The eruption of Eldfell on the island of Heimaey in 1973 came as a surprise, forcing the rapid evacuation of its 5,000 residents. Lava flows threatened to destroy the town and block its harbor—a vital lifeline for the local fishing industry.

In a remarkable effort, firefighters sprayed seawater on advancing lava to slow its flow and protect the harbor. While part of the town was destroyed, the community eventually rebuilt, and the eruption is now part of Heimaey’s proud history.

10. Kasatochi Island, Alaska – Kasatochi Volcano (2008)

Although uninhabited, Kasatochi Island in Alaska was home to a rich ecosystem and a biological research station when its volcano erupted suddenly in 2008. The eruption covered the entire island in ash and pyroclastic material, wiping out all surface life.

While no cities were lost, the complete transformation of the island offers insight into how volcanic eruptions can reshape the landscape and ecosystem overnight. Scientists have since observed the slow return of life to Kasatochi, making it a living laboratory of natural recovery.