New Study Reveals Initial Blast of Vesuvius Eruption Turned People’s Brains to Glass in Nearby Town of Herculaneum.

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD is one of the most catastrophic volcanic events in recorded history. The eruption spewed a massive cloud of volcanic gas and ash that reached temperatures of up to 550°C, causing devastating effects on the residents of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Among the gruesome discoveries made during the excavation of the ancient city is the realization that the intense heat of the gas cloud caused the brains of some of the victims to turn into glass. This phenomenon shocked and intrigued scientists for centuries, leading to extensive research and studies to understand the incredible event that left countless people petrified in time.


A new study has revealed that the volcanic eruption that destroyed the town of Pompeii caused an initial burst of hot gas that reached temperatures high enough to turn people’s brains to glass. This wave of heat, which reached a temperature of 550°C, engulfed the nearby town of Herculaneum, causing instant death and destruction.

The research team used carbonized wood from multiple sites in Herculaneum to reconstruct the thermal events that followed the eruption. They deduced that the town was blasted by a brief yet incredibly hot gas-particle flow known as a diluted pyroclastic density current (PDC). They explained, “the first diluted PDC entered Herculaneum with a temperature exceeding 550°C…this early event was later followed by the succession of pyroclastic currents which finally buried the town under 20-meter thick volcanic deposits.”

Due to the brief nature and extreme heat associated with the initial blast, the event only left a few decimeters of ash on the ground – hence why it had never been detected until now. The destructive power of diluted PDCs has been observed in the aftermath of more recent volcanic eruptions, such as the Martinique eruption in May 1902, which killed almost 30,000 people in a matter of moments.

The researchers say numerous clues can be found in the remains of some of the victims. While many corpses at Pompeii were found frozen in “the typical post-mortem stance known as pugilistic attitude,” the bodies at Herculaneum were unable to adopt such a position because their soft tissue had been demolished by the intense heat.

The discovery of a vitrified brain in the skull of an individual at the Collegium Augustalium provides further clarity. According to the researchers, a brain can only be turned to glass if “the heating event is short-lived so that the tissue is not fully vaporised,” while the preservation of this crystal cerebellum depended upon subsequent pyroclastic currents being cool enough to allow for the build-up of ash.

The study may have implications for the modern inhabitants of nearby Naples should Vesuvius erupt again. The researchers believe that if another diluted PDC should result, then the “potential for survival critically depends on the ability of shelters to prevent infiltration of the hot dusty gas.” This could allow people who may not have had the chance to evacuate earlier to survive and wait for rescue.

In conclusion, the new study sheds light on the devastating impact of the volcanic eruption that occurred almost 2,000 years ago, highlighting the importance of disaster prevention and preparedness in the face of natural disasters. With this knowledge, humans can take steps to mitigate the potential loss of life and property caused by future volcanic eruptions.