December 16, 1631 Eruption of Vesuvius

Most of the greater than 4,000 fatalities caused by pyroclastic surges. Earlier accounts ascribe deaths to lava flows, mudflows and tephra falls, but lava flows are uncertain. One estimate of the total death toll reached 18,000. Hamilton reported men and beasts struck dead by lightning. 30 cm tephra in Naples. (reference #9675)

1631, December 16-23. Volcanic earthquake at the same time that Vesuvius eruption which caused great victims 4000. Previously, this volcano had remained undisturbed for five centuries. More than 40 cities and towns one were destroyed, partly by the lava and partly by earthquakes. From the descriptions after the time, the tremors seem to have reached the degrees VI or VII in Naples, but at least the degrees IX or IX 1/2 at the foot and on the slopes of Vesuvius, including at Boscotrecase, Portici, Torre del Greco, etc. These seismic-volcanic phenomena caused a tidal tide that swept the coast. (reference #1093)

About 4000 people were killed by pyroclastic flows during the second day of the eruption, that began on December 16th. (reference #3347)

The important towns of Torre del Greco and Torre Annunziata and several villages were totally destroyed, and within the devastated area the estimated loss of life amounted to about 6000. (reference #12561)

The eruption of 1631, preceded by a period of rest that probably lasted five centuries, threatened the city of Naples, causing the death of more than 4,000 people and the total devastation of farmlands and densely inhabited areas[...] The great majority of the approximately 4,000 deaths during this eruption was caused by the nuees ardentes the morning of the 17th.(reference #12562)