Pompeii - Site + Destruction

Question 1

When did Vesuvius erupt?

Answer 1

24-25th August in 79AD

Question 2

Describe the eruption that happened on the 24th August

Answer 2

2: 30pm - Sky darkens, Earth tremors, 16km high ash cloud
5: 00pm - Roofs collapsing , ash cloud 27km high
7: 30 - 100,000 tonnes of material ejected every second, ash cloud 30km high

Question 3

Describe the geographical location of Pompeii

Answer 3

Pompeii was close to Vesuvius, meaning that there was lots of fertile soil.
It was also near to the coast, making trade easier.

Question 4

Describe the eruption that happened on the 25th August

Answer 4

1: 00am - Pyroclastic surge
6: 30am - Pyroclastic surge reaches north of Pompeii accompanied by poisonous gases
7: 30am -Pyroclastic surge covers Pompeii filling survivors’ lungs with ash filled air, Pompeii was coveted with 4m of deprive

Question 5

What is the Fiorelli process?

Answer 5

• Pouring plaster of Paris into the cavities left by the decomposed humans, animals + plants
• Shows how people died, clothes they wore, who they were etc
• We can tell slaves from the belts they wore

Question 6

What was Pliny’s account?

Answer 6

•Eye witness account
•Allows us to give a date of the eruption + its duration
•Gave detailed account of eruption
- Growing ash cloud in shape of umbrella pine
- Earth tremors
- Ash + pumice falling from the sky
- Fires in the mountains
- Lighting in the ash column
•Does not provide details of the Pyroclastic surges