Today in History

May 08, 1902
When The Volcano Blows
Martinique's Mount Pelee erupts, decimating the town of Saint-Pierre—"Pearl of the Lesser Antilles"—killing approximately 30,000. There are few survivors due to the pyroclastic flow phenomenon, a rapid-moving, ground-hugging, oxygen-eliminating cloud of superheated gas, ash and debris that crashed through the town. Mount Pelee last erupts in 1932.



Today's Feature History Article

A Glimpse of Old Pompeii

Preserved under the volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius are the everyday goings-on of ancient Roman life

Resurrecting Pompeii

A new exhibition brings the doomed residents of Pompeii and Herculaneum vividly to life




 



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