Understanding of Pompeii about Mount Vesuvius eruption in AD 79
When the Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, it caught the population of Pompeii by surprise and utterly unprepared. Though we know now that all the signs of possible volcano were there in AD 79 but the residents of those times had no idea of the warning signs. We only get to know about the tyranny through the preserved letters from Younger Pliny who was an eye-witness to the disaster. Through him and his account we have gained insight of the reactions and effect on the people caught in the natural disaster.
Younger Pliny’s letters leave no shadow of doubt about the unpreparedness of the people who were caught in the disaster. Pliny the Elder (His uncle) was stationed in command of the imperial naval base in Misenum at the Bay of Naples. Not only was he a senior military officer, he was most well-informed living Roman for matters pertaining to natural science.
His accounts also reveal, there were signs of the possible eruption. Elder Pliny used to say for the earth tremor 'which were not particularly alarming because they are frequent in Campania' showcases the ignorance he displayed between earth tremors (Seismic activity) and volcanic activity.
Response of Society
In AD 63, Pompeii and Herculaneum were hit by earthquake which could be witnesses by earthquake repairs to buildings. Some areas were affected to the extremity that houses were demolished and only agricultural land remained. But the resilience of the locals was much bigger than the earthquake’s damages on the city. At the time of AD 79 eruption damaged houses were being redecorated and repaired and a comprehensive plan was prepared for restructuring public buildings in the Pompeii (“bbc”).
The AD volcano left the Pompeii in the state of trauma and it can be better understood with the inability of reoccupation of sites destroyed in the earthquake. In past rebuilding of cities after natural disasters was a normal practice but the cities of Pompeii was never reoccupied. The cities to the north of bay recovered quickly and Puteoli remained a substantial commercial centre. The Bay of Naples maintained attracting holidaymakers but failed to regain the popularity of two centuries prior to the disaster when it used to be the favored destination for emperors and rich senators (“bbc”).
Effect on Society
Many people lost their lives by the Pyroclastic surge, a blast containing superheated air which killed everyone who breathed it and people attempting to escape the disaster were caught by this blast. Even Pliny the Elder who documented the whole fiasco became the victim of the disaster. His nephew Younger Pliny witnesses the eruptions from the distance of 25 km and wrote the descriptions on a vivid letter. The protagonist Attilus and Corelia survived their trip to the aqueduct and Numerius Popidius Ampliatus the former slave and land speculator died after refusing to evacuate the city after the eruption.
Progress in coping with Volcanoes
Nowadays, volcanologists monitor the constant changes in seismic activity levels from the Vesuvius observatory, as they are aware that similar increase in activity of magma leads to seismic activity and volcanic activity. With any measurement of seismic activity scientists are expecting to predict any eruption of volcano in advance. They are aware that volcanoes like Vesuvius are recurrent in nature and the longer it takes for eruption, the greater explosion it will have in future.
Modern Society has made progress in coping with these natural disasters:
Placing Monitoring System: Nowadays, technology is present in form of motion sensors which can be placed in volcanoes and detecting changes in a volcano’s movements. Volcanologists use tools for detecting and recording earthquakes with seismographs and seismometers tools for measuring ground deformations, EDM, GPS, Tilt & Leveling are tools for measuring and detecting volcanic gases, COSPEC and instrument which measure underground lava movement and EM-31 and VLF are video cameras, satellite imagery, webcams, infrared cameras which help them in predicting future volcanic movements months before its actual occurrence or in some cases like Mt Helens which was predicted to erupt within next century erupted within next 5 years (seismo.snu.ac, 247).
Restricting access to Danger Area: In case of possibility of any eruption the area can be restricted for the time of any warning and to the time the precautions are taken care of for the safety of the locals. Only people who have real cause can be allowed inside the danger area to inspect the possible danger of disaster.
Evacuation of an area around the volcano: On the basis of size of possible eruption the evacuation area is planned. Ash damages metal parts and engines, so driving should be avoided and if you are already driving, you need to stay below 56 kilometers/hr. Early evacuation can save lives as it is not possible to detect the exact range of an eruption on the basis of kilometers. The longer the recurrent volcano stay inactive greater wrath it will bestow. Some eruptions like Galunggung, West lava, Indonesia, 1982-1983 has eruptions column of 20 kms in the atmosphere and ash reached Jakarta , the capital city 350 kms away from the volcanic site (seismo.snu.ac, 251).
Conclusion
In 79 AD, Vesuvius eruption caused massive destruction in the Campanian area which engulfed cities of Oplonti, Stabiae, Herculaneum and Pompeii. A long period of quiescence followed after eruption as the people of the area were left surprised of the extent of volcanic events. Many people lost their lives by the Pyroclastic surge, a blast containing superheated air which killed everyone who breathed it and people attempting to escape the disaster were caught by this blast. Nowadays, volcanologists monitor the constant changes in seismic activity levels from the Vesuvius observatory, as they are aware that similar increase in activity of magma leads to seismic activity and volcanic activity.
Works Cited
Giacomelli, L. Perrotta, A. Scandone, R. & Scarpati, C. "The eruption of Vesuvius of 79 AD and its impact on human environment in Pompei". http://vulcan.fis.uniroma3.it/lavori/episodes.pdf. vulcan.fis.uniroma3.it. Web. 2013
Martini, K. "Volcanic Phenomena at Pompeii". http://www.arch.virginia.edu/struct/pompeii/volcanic.html. virginia.edu. 10 July. 1997. Web. 2 Dec. 2013
Wallace-Hadrill, A. "Pompeii: Portents of Disaster". http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/pompeii_portents_01.shtml. bbc.co.uk. 29 Mar. 2011. Web. 2 Dec 2013
Tiling, R.I. “VOLCANIC HAZARDS AND THEIR MITIGATION- PROGRESS AN D PROBLEMS. ”http://seismo.snu.ac.kr/class/PDF/Tilling.ROG.V27.P237.1989.pdf. seismo.snu.ac.kr. pp 247-251. Web. 2013
