The volcano that destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in the eruption of AD 79 was Mount Vesuvius.
Vesuvius erupted explosively, sending ash and pumice high into the atmosphere before producing deadly hot flows and surges. Pompeii was buried mainly under volcanic material, while Herculaneum was overwhelmed by thick deposits from pyroclastic flows.
The Roman writer Pliny the Younger described the eruption in letters, providing an important eyewitness account. His account helped shape the term “Plinian” for a sustained, high-column explosive eruption.
The disaster preserved buildings, streets, objects and human remains, offering archaeologists an unusually detailed view of Roman daily life. Vesuvius remains an active volcano near Naples and is closely monitored because millions of people live in its surrounding area.