what happened to the city of pompeii

Pompeii was a preserved ancient Roman city in Campania, Italy, located 14 miles (23 km) southeast of Naples, at the southeastern base of Mount Vesuvius. On August 24, 79 CE, a huge eruption from Mount Vesuvius showered volcanic debris over the city of Pompeii, followed the next day by clouds of blisteringly hot gases. Buildings were destroyed, the population was crushed or asphyxiated, and the city was buried beneath a blanket of ash and pumice. Pompeii supported between 10,000 and 20,000 inhabitants at the time of its destruction. The eruption destroyed nearly everything within 15 miles of the volcano, and in Pompeii alone, 2,000 people lost their lives. Thousands more died in the surrounding area. The excavation of Pompeii began in 1748, and as explorers unearthed the city, they realized much of it was well-preserved. Protected by the very ash that destroyed it, the city seemed frozen in time. Most of its buildings were still standing, several still with messages from the political campaigns and other graffiti. Everyday objects like pottery and even some food were also preserved. Today, about a third of Pompeii is still underground. The portion of the city that has been unearthed is closely guarded but open to visitors. In 1997, the city was named a UNESCO world heritage site, granting it even more protection.