About 2,000 years ago, a massive volcano in southern Italy suddenly erupted, causing devastation in the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The eruption resulted in the deaths of at least 1,500 people and is considered one of the deadliest natural disasters in ancient history. Recent research indicates that there may have been another factor contributing to the destruction of Pompeii – an earthquake could have played a role as well.
The findings of this research were published on July 17th in Frontiers of Earth Science.
The volcano responsible for the devastation was Mount Vesuvius, which erupted in 79 AD, releasing a cloud of super-hot gases, ash, and rocks that covered the nearby cities. Pyroclastic flows, consisting of hot gas and rock, also contributed to the destruction by racing down the slopes of the volcano towards the cities.
Previous excavations at Pompeii revealed bodies completely engulfed in ash, indicating a swift and fiery demise for the victims. In Herculaneum, individuals sheltering in stone boathouses succumbed to toxic volcanic gases.
Historical accounts also suggest that earthquakes occurred during the disasters, with writer Pliny the Younger describing violent rumblings felt at Misenum, across the Bay of Naples from the volcano. These earthquakes may have been caused by the force of the eruption, leading to further destruction.
According to volcanologist Domenico Spalis, the seismic shock from the eruption could have been strong enough to cause significant damage. This could have presented a fatal dilemma for the inhabitants of Pompeii – stay in unstable buildings during the eruption or face the burning ashes outside.
Tale of Two Skeletons
Spalis and his team investigated the role of the earthquake in the deaths at Pompeii by examining two newly excavated rooms in a house located in an area known as the Island of Chaste Lovers.
The bodies of two men found inside the house showed signs of multiple fractures, indicating they were crushed by a powerful force. It is believed they were taking shelter from the eruption and survived an initial downpour of ash and gases. However, the subsequent earthquakes caused by the eruption led to the collapse of the house and the deaths of the men.
The collapse of the volcano’s central crater may have triggered the killer earthquake, which was followed by pyroclastic flows that buried Pompeii under a 1.8 meter layer of rubble.
The Whole Story of the End of Pompeii
The recent discovery provides physical evidence supporting the idea that the earthquake played a significant role in the destruction of Pompeii. This challenges previous assumptions and aligns with the writings of Pliny the Younger. The study sheds light on the experience of the people of Pompeii during the disaster and reveals that the casualties were more widespread than previously thought.
Source: www.snexplores.org
