24/08/2025
For our second and final This Day In History feature this month, we go all the way back to 79AD - the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
24th August 79AD started the same as most for those living in the shadow of the volcano. There had been some precursor events - minor earthquakes - in 62 and 64AD, with several smaller quakes leading up to the eruption itself, however inhabitants were used to this and did not see these events as causes for concern.
In the afternoon however, Vesuvius erupted in what would become one of the deadliest eruptions in history. Molten rock, pulverised pumice and hot ash was ejected at a rate of 1.5 million tons per second!
Vesuvius' eruption is perhaps best known for its destruction of Pompeii, a Roman settlement not far from the volcano. Along with neighbouring Herculaneum and other smaller villages, it was obliterated and buried by pyroclastic surges and ash.
Amazingly, the remains of the town - including some of its inhabitants - were left well preserved. Vesuvius National Park, a World Heritage Site, now displays the excavations of the towns and welcomes many visitors annually.
