The AD 79 eruption was preceded by a powerful earthquake in 62, which caused widespread destruction around the Bay of Naples, and particularly to Pompeii. Some of the damage had still not been repaired when the volcano erupted.

Was Vesuvius dormant?

Although a relatively young volcano, Vesuvius had been dormant for centuries before the great eruption of 79 ce that buried the cities of Pompeii, Oplontis, and Stabiae under ashes and lapilli and the city of Herculaneum under a mudflow.

Why Mt Vesuvius in Italy is a dormant volcano?

Mt. Vesuvius is a dormant volcano because it has erupted in the past and is likely to erupt again. It is an active volcano.