Which volcano destroyed Pompeii in 79 AD?

Mount Vesuvius was the volcano that destroyed Pompeii in AD 79. Its catastrophic eruption buried Pompeii and nearby Roman settlements under layers of ash, pumice, and volcanic debris, preserving buildings, objects, and human remains for later discovery.

The eruption began on August 24 according to the traditional reading of Pliny the Younger’s account, although some modern evidence suggests an autumn date may be possible. Pliny, who observed the disaster from across the Bay of Naples, described the towering eruption column and the collapse of the surrounding communities. His account helped establish the term “Plinian” for tall, explosive volcanic eruptions.

Pompeii was not simply burned by lava. Much of the city was overwhelmed by falling pumice and later by fast-moving pyroclastic flows and surges. The nearby city of Herculaneum was also destroyed, though it was buried by different and often hotter volcanic deposits.

Krakatoa erupted in 1883, while Stromboli and Mount Etna are active Italian volcanoes, but none of those caused the destruction of Pompeii. Vesuvius remains an active volcano overlooking modern Naples.