Eruption of Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius erupted catastrophically, burying the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under volcanic ash.
On August 24, 79 CE, Mount Vesuvius erupted in one of the most catastrophic volcanic events in European history. The cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried under metres of volcanic ash and pumice. An estimated 16,000 people died. The preserved ruins, rediscovered in the 18th century, provide an extraordinarily detailed snapshot of Roman daily life and have become one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.