The area around Vesuvius received its first warning sign that the mountain was perhaps reawakening when a massive earthquake struck on the 5th of February 62 CE. The earthquake measured 7.5 on the Richter scale and devastated the surrounding towns; even parts of Naples, 20 miles away, were damaged. At Pompeii, few buildings were not damaged. Temples, houses and parts of the thick city walls collapsed, fires ravaged sections of the town and even sheep in the countryside died from the poisonous gases. The death toll was likely in the thousands. The water supply to the town was also severely affected with damage to aqueducts and underground pipes. The recovery process was also hampered by the collapse of the bridge over the Sarno. Things were
