The Mount Vesuvius Eruption of AD 79

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 took the lives of thousands of people and destroyed two cities – Pompeii and Herculaneum. But it also buried and preserved the remains of those cities, leaving a record for scientists and archaeologists to dig up in order to learn about earlier ways of life.

The Mount Vesuvius Eruption – 79 AD

On August 24, AD 79, a volcano that had been dormant for decades, Mount Vesuvius, erupted. The ten-mile cloud of smoke, ash, and pumice rose above southern Italy. The first affected were those in Pompeii, who were subject to the three-inch stones falling like rain from the sky. Some Pompeii residents ran for shelter, hoping to wait out the worst part of the eruption. Others covered their heads with pillows to soften the blow of the large stones coming down on them. Ultimately, the relentlessness of the explosion left them without options.

After a 12-hour-long pumice and stone hailstorm, the volcano unleashed its next level of terror, a cloud of toxic gas in the morning hours of August 25 that suffocated anything that remained alive in the city. Approximately 20,000 people were believed to live in Pompeii at the time. However, some escaped by fleeing when the eruption first began.

Thanks to a strong wind out of the west, the residents of Herculaneum were able to dodge the initial effects of the eruption, but their luck did not last too long. An avalanche of ash and gas tunneled down the side of the volcano that took the lives of those who remained there. If there were any survivors, they were no match for the flood of volcanic mud and rock that then buried the entire city.

Herculaneum was located beneath 60 feet of volcanic remnants. Pompeii was buried between 14 and 17 feet under the rock.

Much of what is known about the Mount Vesuvius eruption is from eyewitness testimonials conveyed by Pliny the Younger. He was staying along the Bay of Naples when the tragedy began. He compiled two letters he sent to a historian named Tacitus explaining what he saw. That documentation has given insight to researchers who study the volcano and the two affected cities.

Excavating Ground Zero

Discovering what is beneath the centuries-old volcanic rock is at the top of the list for many researchers. Many believe the two cities – Pompeii and Herculaneum – were wholly sealed off after the eruption. However, archaeologists have found geological evidence suggesting that might not be the case. Discovering tunnel systems and exposed areas led researchers to believe rescue efforts were deployed following the disaster.

Domenico Fontana, an architect, attempted new construction in the area between 1594 and 1600. He accidentally dug up some old paintings and other artifacts while working. After that, no one tried to research the area for over a century. In the 1700s, several excavations took place intending to obtain ancient art and other valuables.

Over the years, several people explored the area. In 1780, Francesco la Vega became the director of excavation in Pompeii. His goal was to preserve what was left of the beautiful city. Many artifacts were moved safely to a museum. Unfortunately, the buildings were difficult to protect from treasure seekers and the weather, so much of the city deteriorated.

Today, thanks to Giuseppe Fiorelli, superintendent of Pompeii from 1863 to 1875, the site has become more of a tourist attraction, allowing visitors worldwide to see the ancient city and its artifacts.