Recent research has redefined the timeline of the Mount Vesuvius eruption that buried Pompeii, extending it from 19 to 32 hours. Key events include a deadly pyroclastic current striking at 7:07 am, covering 15 miles, and the explosive interaction with groundwater later in the day. The study highlights how many Pompeii residents could have survived if they had fled during a brief window but were tragically caught in the flow. The eruption was unexpected as the volcano was believed inactive for almost two millennia, leaving the population unprepared.
The new research, detailed in a study in Journal of the Geological Society, extends the timeline of the eruption from 19 to 32 hours, redefining the disaster's chronology.
The deadliest pyroclastic current struck at 7:07 am, spreading scalding debris 15 miles across, suggesting that those who sheltered in buildings were killed instantly.
This eruption occurred after 1,800 years of dormancy of Mount Vesuvius, meaning locals were largely unprepared to face such a catastrophic event.
Claudio Scarpati noted, 'We now have a much clearer picture of the impact on buildings and humans over the hours,' enhancing understanding of the eruption's consequences.
Collection
[
|
...
]