Pompeii, a city buried under ash and pumice following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, offers a remarkable glimpse into the past.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, Pompeii thrived as a bustling city in what is now southern Italy. In the summer of 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted violently, sending smoke and toxic gases 20 miles into the sky. These clouds quickly reached the town, and almost overnight, Pompeii—and many of its 10,000 inhabitants—was buried beneath a thick layer of ash.

Pompeii remained lost and largely forgotten until its rediscovery in 1748. Excavations, which continue to this day, have allowed scientists to reconstruct the events of that catastrophic day.

The eruption began shortly after noon with a deafening roar that shook Pompeii’s busy marketplace. The ground trembled, sending shoppers stumbling and knocking over stalls filled with fish and meat. People screamed as they looked toward Mount Vesuvius towering above them. Thick ash turned the sky dark, blotting out the sun. Some residents fled the city, while others sought refuge in their homes, only to be trapped as ash piled up—reaching depths of nine feet in some areas, collapsing roofs, and blocking doorways.

Around midnight, the first of four scorching clouds of ash, rock, and toxic gases—known as surges—rushed down the volcano at roughly 180 miles per hour, incinerating everything in their path. By about 7 AM, nearly 19 hours after the eruption began, Pompeii lay entirely covered in a deadly mix of ash and debris.

Visiting the ruins today is like stepping back in time. The layers of ash preserved buildings, artwork, and even the shapes of bodies, leaving voids that experts later filled in to reveal the forms of the deceased. This preservation has provided insight into daily life that might not have survived at other Roman sites.

From the evidence uncovered, scientists believe Pompeii was a prosperous city popular with wealthy Roman visitors. Its well-paved streets featured high sidewalks and stepping stones to protect pedestrians from mud. Residents enjoyed public baths, gladiator fights, chariot races in the amphitheater, and performances in the city’s two theaters.

Though Pompeii is long gone, Mount Vesuvius remains a threat. Scientists warn that the volcano is overdue for another major eruption, but modern monitoring and evacuation plans give those living nearby a much better chance of escaping safely.