Pompeii is undoubtedly one of
the world's best known
archaeological sites. Its fame
comes from its dramatic
destruction and extraordinary
preservation as a result of an
eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
On August 20, A.D. 79, Pompeii
was rocked by more earth tremors,
although they do not seem to
have been as severe as the 62
earthquake. Springs in the area
dried up. The ancient Pompeians
did not recognize that these
were signs of the imminent
eruption of Vesuvius. Therefore
when the volcano went off
between noon and 1pm on August
24, it caught everyone by
surprise. According to Pliny the
Younger, a 12-mile high cloud of
ash and rock was thrown into the
air, blocking out the sun. By
chance, the wind was blowing
from the northwest, so when the
volcanic matter began to fall,
it was blown in the direction of
Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabiae,
and other sites to the southeast.
The eruption produced total
darkness, as well as electrical
discharges from atmospheric
disturbances. Ash, pumice, and
rock fell, initially with a low
density.
