Which volcano buried Pompeii under ash and pumice in AD 79?

Mount Vesuvius buried Pompeii under ash and pumice in AD 79.

Vesuvius is a stratovolcano on the Bay of Naples in southern Italy. Its famous eruption began on 24 August AD 79 according to the traditional reading of Pliny the Younger’s account, although archaeological evidence has led some researchers to argue for an autumn date. The eruption buried Pompeii, Herculaneum, and nearby settlements.

Pompeii was covered mainly by falling pumice and ash, while Herculaneum was overwhelmed by hotter pyroclastic flows and surges. The deposits preserved buildings, streets, artwork, tools, and human remains, making the disaster an unusually detailed record of Roman daily life.

Vesuvius remains active and is considered one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes because millions of people live near it. It is sometimes confused with Mount Etna, which is also in Italy but lies in Sicily and is Europe’s largest active volcano by height and volume.