Pompeii Disaster There have been few natural disasters quite as catastrophic as the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The volcano destroyed the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum by burying them in molten ash, pumice, sulfuric gas, and mud. The eruption killed thousands of people, and the cities have never been rebuilt since. (History.com) The cities were left undiscovered for 1700 years, until 1748. The discovery of Pompeii led to the revelation of artifacts, bodies and destroyed buildings from almost two thousand years before. Everything was left frozen in time to eventually be discovered and scrutinized by scientists and archaeologists. Many victims died instantly as the extremely hot air burned their lungs and contracted
