The Disaster at Pompeii
In 79AD a disastrous volcanic eruption occurred near the Italian Peninsula that wiped out the thriving city of Pompeii for centuries, shocking the world with its broad destruction and the vast number of lives taken. Residents of Pompeii were buried by ash, lava and rocks from Mount Vesuvius, leaving a tragic scene of mystery and despair. For years, it was a mystery whether anyone actually survived the eruption, or if everyone in Pompeii perished.
The discovery of the Pompeii city revealed many facts about the events that led up to the eruption and what actually happened on the day itself. Its recovered artefacts and structures depicted typical life of a Roman city at the time and many detailed letters and accounts from survivors that lived nearby. One such letter written by a frightened resident of Herculaneum, just 18km away, described hoards of people running to escape the coming danger, many suffocating to death due to the lack of oxygen in the air.
Research showed that the city was choked by giant clouds of hot ash that rose up to 4.5 kilometers in the sky and expanded up to 200 kilometers wide. Significant seismic activity occurred during this time, causing the ground to tremble while pungent smoke began to fill the air. Rivers of molten lava then started to consume the surrounding areas and ash pellets, thick enough to be mistaken for snow, began to rain on the city.
It is believed that due to the lack of warning from government officials and the swift and brutal nature of the disaster, only 15 percent of Pompeii’s inhabitants escaped in time. This number is evidenced by the large amount of preserved skeletons still found within the city walls to this day, some of which were wearing clothing at the time of their death, suggesting that they did not have enough time to escape.
The Aftermath
The aftermath of the event was catastrophic and the bodies of those who perished were left in the most grotesque of positions, all frozen in time. Initial reports claim that up to 11,000 people perished in the disaster, however with recent findings, this number is likely to be higher. Once all evidence had been gathered, the majority of the bodies, and even some furniture, were attached to the walls in an attempt to remember the event and to help families locate their loved ones.
In the centuries following the disaster, recovery and restoration of the city was extremely difficult. Today, with so many archaeologists, volcanologists and researchers having studied the city, the true devastation of the disaster is understood much more clearly.
Learning from the Past to Prepare for the Future
The disaster that befell the city of Pompeii is a harsh reminder of the dangers of natural disasters, and we must learn from these events to prepare for the future. Today, we are still able to access the artefacts seen in Pompeii and we must use them to gain knowledge on how to protect citizens from similar catastrophes. The resources used by the government from the time of the eruption show clear flaws in how to respond to such events, and we must ensure that no lives are lost in the same manner ever again.
Perhaps the most important lesson to be learned is that we must have emergency mechanisms in place in the event of a catastrophe, and governments must make sure to have advanced warning systems that can alert citizens when danger is imminent. In addition, it is vital to have speedy and helpful aid available to those affected by any emergency, to provide shelter and food in times of crisis.
The Importance of Archaeology and Research
The destruction at Pompeii revealed an abundance of information about how ancient civilizations responded to crises and natural disasters. Archaeologists across the world are still collecting evidence about the events that occurred before and during the eruption, which provides invaluable insights into the way that people used to think and the strategies which were in place to respond to disasters.
By researching into the past, we can develop more effective crisis response strategies and protocols which can be used in the modern day. We can also gain a better understanding on how ancient civilizations reacted to catastrophes and get a greater appreciation of the level of destruction they faced during their time.
Environmental Impact
Aside from the destruction and loss of life, the Pompeii disaster also changed the environmental dynamics of the surrounding areas significantly. During the eruption, wind jets of superheated air, ash and pumice were propelled into the atmosphere and had a dramatic effect the environment for miles around. It is believed that the city had no prior warning of the imminent danger, which meant many families stayed in their homes until it was too late, unable to flee from the debris and poisonous air.
The disaster illustrates the importance of monitoring natural disasters and being aware of the signs indicating that danger may be on the horizon. Experts suggest that volcanoes should be kept under surveillance on a regular basis in order to detect any changes in their behaviour that could suggest an interruption of their current state.
Public Perception of Natural Disasters
The tragedy of the Pompeii eruption has had an emotional, psychological and political impact on the wider world, showing us just how quickly natural disasters can occur, and the devastating effects they can have. It marked a significant change in the way we perceive, understand and respond to natural disasters and opened the eyes of the world to the possibility of such catastrophic events.
The events that occurred in Pompeii gave society a heightened sense of fear and crisis awareness and knocked the confidence of many. The modern day public demonstrates more of an understanding of the dangers of global warming, climate change and natural catastrophes, with many choosing to act and do their part to protect Mother Nature.
Modern Day Preparation
Unlike the people of Pompeii, we are now better placed to prepare for catastrophes and protect those in danger. Technological advances, such as the use of sophisticated cameras, satellites and drones, allow us to easily track and monitor abnormal activities of volcanoes and extreme weather events, like tsunamis and typhoons. In addition, the creation of social media platforms allows information to be widely shared, raising awareness and quickly informing citizens of imminent danger.
The world has come a long way in the way it responds to natural disasters, and it is still developing more measures and technologies on a daily basis to assist in times of crisis. It is vital that governments across the world have plans in place to provide adequate resources to citizens, in order to prevent any loss of life in the wake of natural disasters.
The Evidence
Although it is impossible to know the exact fate of the people of Pompeii, it is clear that most of the citizens perished in the eruption. The evidence still found remnants of the city walls and its buildings, as well as the numerous skeletons found in the excavations and mummified bodies of those who were not able to escape in time.
Through the artefacts, accounts and evidence collected, we have been able to rebuild and examine how the disaster occurred and the events that unfolded that day. By doing this, we can look back at our past and continue to understand the importance of safety and response systems, and use our gathered knowledge to protect future generations from catastrophes of the same scale.
