What happened to the people in Pompeii when the pyroclastic cloud hit them after Mount Vesuvius erupted?
They suffocated.
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They died of suffocation and overheating. The deaths of they and the animals (dogs, cats, goats) were quick.
When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the people of Pompeii were largely caught off guard by the pyroclastic cloud that descended upon the city. This deadly cloud was a fast-moving mixture of superheated gases, ash, and volcanic material.
To understand what happened to the people in Pompeii, we can look to historical records, archaeological evidence, and scientific research. The main sources of information are the letters of Pliny the Younger, who witnessed the eruption from a distance and described the event in detail, and the excavations of the ruins of Pompeii.
When the pyroclastic cloud reached Pompeii, it descended rapidly and engulfed the city. The extreme heat of the cloud, estimated to be around 500 degrees Celsius (932 degrees Fahrenheit), caused immediate asphyxiation and thermal shock to the inhabitants. Surges of gas and ash flooded the streets, trapping people and burying them under layers of debris.
The cloud moved so quickly that many people simply couldn't escape in time. The victims were preserved in the volcanic ash, leaving behind eerie plaster casts of their bodies, which were formed by pouring plaster into the voids created by the decay of organic remains.
It's estimated that around 2,000 people lost their lives in Pompeii and the surrounding areas during the eruption. However, it is important to note that not all victims were buried alive or suffocated by the pyroclastic flow. Some died from roof collapses or were hit by falling debris as the eruption progressed.
In conclusion, the people of Pompeii tragically perished when the pyroclastic cloud enveloped the city, causing rapid asphyxiation and thermal shock. The unique preservation of the city due to the ash and debris provides us with valuable insights into the catastrophic events that unfolded during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.