What destroyed the Roman city of Pompeii?

Answer 1

The ancient Roman city of Pompeii was destroyed in 79 AD/CE by eruption of the volcano, Mount Vesuvius. Lava and ashes destroyed the city and killed many of the residents that could not escape. A nearby smaller city was also destroyed. Pompeii was located near the modern city of Naples. Pompeii was a seaport and resort in Campania. Pompeii is of particular interest as excavations have uncovered intact many buildings, homes, wall paintings, mosaics, furniture and skeletons.
In 79 AD Pompeii was destroyed by the volcano Mt. Vesuvius in Italy. The ash and rocks from the volcano covered 65 acres and killed 25,000 people. The ash cloud moved 450MPH and was 900 degrees. People died from breathing in the ash which turned to cement in their body and drowned them, others died from the gasses or were buried alive. Some died from the heat. Vesuvius is still active and now 3 million people live below it or in the area.

Answer 2

On August 24, 79 Mount Vesuvius literally blew its top, spewing tons of molten ash, pumice and sulfuric gas miles into Vesuvius erupts, 1944 the atmosphere. A "firestorm" of poisonous vapors and molten debris engulfed the surrounding area suffocating the inhabitants of the neighboring Roman resort cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae. Tons of falling debris filled the streets until nothing remained to be seen of the once thriving communities. The cities remained buried and undiscovered for almost 1700 years until excavation began in 1748. These excavations continue today and provide insight into life during the Roman Empire. An ancient voice reaches out from the past to tell us of the disaster. This voice belongs to Pliny the Younger whose letters describe his experience during the eruption while he was staying in the home of his Uncle, Pliny the Elder. The elder Pliny was an official in the Roman Court, in charge of the fleet in the area of the Bay of Naples and a naturalist. Pliny the Younger's letters were discovered in the 16th century.

Answer 3

The simple answer is that the people did not realise at first how great was their danger.

The neighbouring town of Herculaneum was slowly being submerged by an avalanche of hot mud, comprised of volcanic ash and earth, and so the majority of the population were able to flee.

In Pompeii, however, they did not face an avalanche of hot mud, but were showered with a fallout of lapilli (rock fragments formed in the volcano). Assuming that this was a lesser threat, the people took refuge from the falling lapilli in their homes. Soon, however, the buildings began to collapse under the weight of the lapilli, and the people realised they had to flee.

For many, however, it was too late. By this time, the Mount Vesuvius had begun spewing out poisonous sulphur gas. The people died where they fell- an estimated 2000 died in total out of a population believed to have been around 15 000.

(Source: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/ROMpompeii.htm )

Answer 4

A volcano, Mount Vesuvius, that overlooked Pompeii erupted AD79. This led to the burying and destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and several other settlements around the mounts base. Its estimated that some 16,000 poeople may have died in the event.

Answer 5

hot ash, carbon monoxide, and lung suffocation

Answer 6

Pompeii had an irepution and kileed lots of people