9 popular travel destinations in danger of volcanic eruptions

Before Mount Vesuvius erupted, Pompeii was a bustling resort city. The town, located five miles from the active volcano, was a popular destination for Rome's distinguished citizens thanks to the sunny coastline nearby. When the volcano exploded in 79 AD, 2,000 people were killed by poisonous gases, ash and crushed rocks.

The tragedy should have served as a warning to future generations, but fertile grounds and the beauty of islands have caused cities to pop up in the shadows of volcanoes. Many of the world's coolest destinations are actually in danger of becoming the next Pompeii.

William Menke, professor of Earth and Environmental studies at Columbia, identifies four cities as candidates for being threatened by the 'Most Dangerous Volcano in the World.' Seattle, Tokyo, Mexico City and Naples. The massive populations of the cities and suburbs relatively close to the mountains put them a risk of huge losses of life.

Click below to see popular travel destinations that are secretly threatened by volcanoes: