INTRODUCTION A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING Two thousand years ago disaster struck a city in modern day Italy called Pompeii The city stood about 5 miles 8 kilometers from what looked to be a peaceful mountain Little did people know that Mount Vesuvius was actually a powerful volcano about explore to
THE BIG BANG It began in the summer of 79 CE with a little steam rising from Mount Vesuvius By August 24 things really started heating up Molten rock that had been building up for centuries under Vesuvius suddenly burst out with a deafening bang The explosion released a huge cloud of hot gas ash and rock that rose 27 miles 43 km into the sky As the cloud spread over Pompeii it blocked out the sun and rained down ash and rock Afraid of what was to come many people fled the city But several thousand people stayed behind hoping for best the
Later that day Pompeii was covered in a heavy layer of rock and ash Roofs of many buildings caved in under the weight Most people inside were crushed to death Others scurried outside covering their heads with pillows Some ran for cover into the city's sturdier stone public buildings But nothing could save people from what was about to come Modern scientists know that Mount Vesuvius had erupted many times before 79 CE But people of the time unprepared were
Mount Vesuvius wasn't the only danger in Pompeii A big earthquake hit the area about sixteen years before the volcano erupted VOLCANIC SURGE By the next day the growing cloud above Mount Vesuvius collapsed All of that superheated ash rock and gas flowed down the volcano's slopes Gathering speed it raced straight for Pompeii No one could outrun this volcanic surge No one could withstand its deadly heat It killed everyone in its path When the eruption was over the entire city was buried in about 20 feet 6 1 meters of rock and ash Almost overnight Pompeii had become a mystery waiting to uncovered be
