The Catastrophic Eruption of Vesuvius (AD 79)
On August 24, AD 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying Pompeii and its neighboring city, Herculaneum, under layers of volcanic ash and pumice. The eruption began around 1:00PM with a massive cloud of ash, pumice, and gas.
The initial phase of the eruption, know as the Plinian Phase, saw a column of volcanic material rise kilometers into the sky. This was followed by pyroclastic flows, fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic debris, which were ultimately responsible for the death of most inhabitants.
The city remained buried for nearly 1700 years until its rediscovery in the 18th century, offering an unprecedented glimpse into Roman life.