Mount Vesuvius, one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes, exploded in 79 CE. The eruption was so violent that it could be seen for hundreds of miles. Volcanic ash and rock rained down on the countryside.

A deadly choice

The Roman city of Pompeii sat just eight kilometres from the volcano. When the volcano erupted, most of the 20,000 residents fled. About 2000 stayed in Pompeii to wait it out.

That was a mistake.