Glass Brain: The Shocking Truth About Vesuvius' Victims

This: a city buried under ash, people frozen in time, and a brain turned into glass. This isn't a sci-fi movie, but a real event that happened in 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted. The eruption was so powerful that it released energy equal to 100, 000 Hiroshima bombs. The cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were covered in hot ash and gas, killing most people instantly. The heat was so intense that it could kill a person in a fraction of a second. Scientists have been studying the remains of the victims for years. In 2001, a study estimated the temperature of the pyroclastic surge that destroyed Pompeii to be around 500° Celsius (932° Fahrenheit). This extreme heat caused bones to fracture and skulls to explode, similar to cases where extreme heat has caused skulls to burst. In 2020, a new study focused on a victim found in Herculaneum. This person was believed to be the guardian of a public building. The remains were found on a wooden bed, buried under volcanic ash. The skull still had some brain matter in it. This discovery was a big deal because it provided more evidence that the extreme heat from the eruption was responsible for the deaths of many victims. The glass-like material found in the skull was a key piece of evidence. Scientists analyzed it and found that it matched the properties of glass formed by extreme heat. This supports the idea that the victim's brain was turned into glass by the intense heat of the eruption. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius was a catastrophic event that left a lasting impact on the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The extreme heat and ash caused the deaths of many people, and the remains of the victims provide valuable insights into the power of the eruption. The discovery of the glass-like material in the skull of one victim is a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature. The study of the remains of the victims of Mount Vesuvius is an ongoing process. Scientists continue to analyze the remains and the physical properties of the glass-like material found in the skulls. The goal is to gain a better understanding of the eruption and its impact on the people who lived in the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD was a devastating event that left a lasting impact on the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The extreme heat and ash caused the deaths of many people, and the remains of the victims provide valuable insights into the power of the eruption. The discovery of the glass-like material in the skull of one victim is a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature.