What type of eruption occured at Pompeii? What was Pompeii's population? How many people survived from Pompeii? What do you think it was like to be in Pompeii on that day? Are there other accounts of the eruption other than Pliny the Younger's? I am writing a paper that requires an interview your help will be greatly appreciated!

rocky Julianna

Hi Julianna,

Pompeii was the defining example of a Plinian eruption. About 20,000 people lived in the city. Of these at least 2,000 died. The day was probably terrifying and full of panic. I know of no other accounts of the eruption. Our description of Vesuvius (http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/img_vesuvius.html) might be useful to you. The article by Sigurdsson and others would be very useful to you. Sigurdsson, H., Carey, S., Cornell, W., and Pescatore, T., 1985, The eruption of Vesuvius in A.D. 79: National Geographic Research, v. 1, no. 3, p. 332-387.

Sincerely,
Steve Mattox 

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