Mount Vesuvius
Volcanic Eruptions: 79 AD Versus the Present
ATOC 250: Natural Disasters
Term Paper
Abstract: Volcanic eruptions can be disastrous and deadly. It is, therefore, important to look back at prior eruptions and compare them to present eruptions in order to draw conclusions on what could be done to mitigate loss of life and destruction. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD on Pompeii and surrounding areas proved to be catastrophic because of the location of the volcano and especially since citizens were not aware that an active volcano was in their midst. By examining the series of events that took place at Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and comparing them to the impacts and forecasting of present day volcanism, one could draw better conclusions of the grandeur of the ancient eruption. After thorough analysis of scientific models, field data, and scientific journals, it is evident that the effects of the 79 AD eruption could have been lessened had roofing been better and had forecasting technology been where it is today. However, had the 79 AD eruption happened today there could have been far worse economic implications on the aviation and leisure industries. The conclusion is that though forecasting technology has come a long way, it should be improved upon so that regional disasters such as the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius can be avoided.
Introduction: Mount Vesuvius is infamous for its eruption in 79 AD when the volcano’s pyroclastic flows simultaneously destroyed and preserved the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Many details of this legendary eruption are derived from ancient literature and witnesses. Therefore, aside from examining literature and witness accounts, this paper will also look at research conducted by modern scientists in order to uncover more about its formation, composition and eruptions. In order to estimate the grandeur of the 79 AD disaster and to elucidate how its effects differed from present-day eruptions or could have been mitigated
ATOC 250: Natural Disasters
Term Paper
Abstract: Volcanic eruptions can be disastrous and deadly. It is, therefore, important to look back at prior eruptions and compare them to present eruptions in order to draw conclusions on what could be done to mitigate loss of life and destruction. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD on Pompeii and surrounding areas proved to be catastrophic because of the location of the volcano and especially since citizens were not aware that an active volcano was in their midst. By examining the series of events that took place at Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and comparing them to the impacts and forecasting of present day volcanism, one could draw better conclusions of the grandeur of the ancient eruption. After thorough analysis of scientific models, field data, and scientific journals, it is evident that the effects of the 79 AD eruption could have been lessened had roofing been better and had forecasting technology been where it is today. However, had the 79 AD eruption happened today there could have been far worse economic implications on the aviation and leisure industries. The conclusion is that though forecasting technology has come a long way, it should be improved upon so that regional disasters such as the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius can be avoided.
Introduction: Mount Vesuvius is infamous for its eruption in 79 AD when the volcano’s pyroclastic flows simultaneously destroyed and preserved the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Many details of this legendary eruption are derived from ancient literature and witnesses. Therefore, aside from examining literature and witness accounts, this paper will also look at research conducted by modern scientists in order to uncover more about its formation, composition and eruptions. In order to estimate the grandeur of the 79 AD disaster and to elucidate how its effects differed from present-day eruptions or could have been mitigated
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