August 24, 79 - Vesuvius Eruption

Mount Vesuvius in Italy did erupt on this day in the year 79. The results were dramatic, the entire city of Pompeii was wiped out. We know that today since archaeologists excavated Pompeii in the 18th century. What they found was astonishing and one of the major discoveries ever made. The archaeologists found everything and everyone that had been there that day perfectly preserved by the volcano’s ash.

This eruption is considered as one of the most catastrophic volcanic eruptions in European history. The power and impact was massive by releasing 100,000 times the thermal energy of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki bombings.