The document discusses the 79 CE eruption of Mount Vesuvius that buried the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. It provides background on Vesuvius and nearby Mediterranean volcanoes. Details are given about the features of Pompeii, including its streets, food stalls, plumbing, and gladiator school that were preserved by the volcanic ash and lava flows. The document also includes information on victims recovered from the eruption and a chart classifying volcanic explosivity on an index scale.