When Did Mount Vesuvius Bury Pompeii?

In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted catastrophically, sending a column of volcanic ash and pumice over 33 km into the sky. The cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried under 4 to 6 metres of volcanic debris. The eruption killed an estimated 2,000 people in Pompeii alone. The ash preserved buildings, frescoes, food, and even the shapes of victims in remarkable detail. Recent archaeological evidence, including a charcoal inscription dated 17 October 79 AD, suggests the eruption may have occurred in October rather than the traditionally cited August date, based on a letter by Pliny the Younger.