Pompeii's Tragic Fates: Lessons from Mount St. Helens

An Ancient Tragedy   Discovered in Pompeii

The new archaeological findings in Pompeii have given us a very touching story of four adults and a child, who strived to save their lives during the terrible eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The researchers found out that these people, who belonged to Rome, made a barricade in the bedroom from the furniture to avoid and get away from the volcanic ash and pyroclastic flows that they were facing. This is a very shocking discovery, and it is very poignant to the one of the most legendary disasters in the history of the world.

A Memory of Mount St. Helens

May 18th is marked as a day for remembering the historic Mount St. Helens eruption that happened 45 years ago, and thus, it is time for some reflections on the similarities between these calamities. On that day exactly, the event was to be written with the stories of many, as the mountain spewed fire and ash killing 57 people and changing the face of the area for the years to come. The event was characterized as the most deadly and devastating volcano in the whole U.S. history, and it serves as a very good reminder of the power of Mother Nature, and the briefness of life of human beings.

Different Volcanic Eruptions and Their Lessons

Both events show how volcanoes are indeed unpredictable and that being prepared is key. The experiences of those who survived these calamities are still fresh in people's minds and act as a source of strength to the ones living today, stressing also the importance of scientific studies that are directed at making such natural events more predictable and less damning.