Which city is the ancient site buried by volcanic ash during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius?

• A. Naples
• B. Herculaneum
• C. Pompeii
• D. Rome

Answer: (C)

When a volcanic eruption spews ash and pumice, it can bury a city and preserve it for centuries. In AD 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted and ash blanketed nearby towns. Pompeii ended up under a thick layer of ash, which sealed buildings, streets, and daily life, turning the city into a detailed time capsule of Roman life. Because of this dramatic preservation, Pompeii is the most famous example people recall when thinking about a city buried by Vesuvius’s ash. Naples is nearby but was not buried; Rome is too distant to have been covered in this event. Herculaneum was also buried by volcanic material, but Pompeii remains the archetypal site associated with the ash from Vesuvius.