Lesson+3

The Eruption of 79AD
Mt Vesuvius was believed to be a dormant volcano to the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum and so when it errupted in 79AD the people of these towns did not know how to react to the sudden situation. The eruption of Mt Vesuvius is accepted to have happened on the 24th of August in 79AD although some historians believe the eruption may have occurred sometime in November due to the ambiguity of the sources they have. it is consensually agreed that the eruption did happen in either summer or autumn. The eruption had many phases these consisted of - The Plinian phase: initial explosion, great thrust of cloud of ash/pumice/gases 20km into the air. - Pumice fallout over Pompeii. At first were only pebbles 1cm in diameter, but grew to rocks 20cm in diameter. - Some hours later, there were ground surges, which raced to Pompeii at 100km/h. - Pyroclastic flow: was a hot, dry avalanche of pumice, ash and gases. Buried Pompeii to a depth of about 4m.

Herculaneum was hit with a series of pyroclastic flows as it was at the foot of the volcano and was the first to be effected. The people of this town died quickly. The people of pompeii however had many different deaths such as asphyxiation due to ash and gases, falling rocks and pyroclastic flows

Task Process Assessment Resources Conclusion