Pompeii Quiz

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  • 1/9 Questions

    Where is Pompeii located?

    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
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About This Quiz

The lost city of Pompeii is one of the most prominent stories in the study of history, as it’s renowned for being cemented in place by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 AD.

Pompeii Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What year did Mt. Vesuvius erupt?

    • 237 BC

    • 79AD

    • 227AD

    Correct Answer
    A. 79AD
    Explanation
    In 79AD, Mt. Vesuvius erupted. This eruption is one of the most famous and destructive volcanic eruptions in history. It resulted in the destruction of the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, burying them under layers of ash and pumice. The eruption was so powerful that it released a massive column of ash and gas into the atmosphere, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. The event has been extensively studied by archaeologists and has provided valuable insights into ancient Roman life and culture.

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  • 3. 

    Mount Vesuvius had been dormant for more than 800 years before the eruption in 79 A.D. Did this make the eruption more or less dangerous?

    • More dangerous. Being dormant for a long time combined with building seismic activity is a sign of disaster.

    • Less dangerous. Being dormant for a long time actually decreases the pressure inside the volcano and lessened the power of the eruption.

    • Neither. Being dormant for a long time has no affect on the size of the eruption.

    Correct Answer
    A. More dangerous. Being dormant for a long time combined with building seismic activity is a sign of disaster.
    Explanation
    Being dormant for a long time combined with building seismic activity is a sign of disaster. This is because when a volcano is dormant for a long period, pressure builds up inside it due to the accumulation of magma. This pressure, combined with increasing seismic activity, indicates that the volcano is becoming more active and can result in a more explosive and dangerous eruption. Therefore, the longer a volcano has been dormant, the higher the risk of a catastrophic eruption.

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  • 4. 

    What was the major cause of Pompeii's destruction.

    • Mt. Vesuvius erupted several times causing lava to flow through the city and turn it to ashes.

    • Mt. Vesuvius produced large size boulders that crushed and covered the city.

    • Mt. Vesuvius eruption cloud dropped hot gas and ashes covering the city.

    Correct Answer
    A. Mt. Vesuvius eruption cloud dropped hot gas and ashes covering the city.
    Explanation
    The major cause of Pompeii's destruction was the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, which resulted in a cloud of hot gas and ashes that covered the city. This volcanic eruption released a massive amount of ash and pumice, which rained down on Pompeii and its surrounding areas, burying the city under several meters of debris. The combination of these hot gases and ashes suffocated and asphyxiated the inhabitants of Pompeii, preserving their bodies and the city itself in a remarkably well-preserved state for centuries.

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  • 5. 

    What would have been the first sign that Mount Vesuvius was about to erupt?

    • The animals began fleeing the area.

    • There were earthquakes throughout the region.

    • The sky darkened and there was a smell of sulfer.

    Correct Answer
    A. There were earthquakes throughout the region.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "There were earthquakes throughout the region." This is because earthquakes are often a precursor to volcanic eruptions. The movement of magma beneath the surface can cause the Earth's crust to shake, resulting in seismic activity. Therefore, the occurrence of earthquakes in the region would indicate that Mount Vesuvius was becoming increasingly active and could potentially erupt.

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  • 6. 

    What year did the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius bury the Roman city of Pompeii?

    • 79 AD

    • 1631 AD 

    • 62 AD

    • 24 AD

    Correct Answer
    A. 79 AD
    Explanation
     In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius, a volcano located near the Bay of Naples in Italy, erupted violently, burying the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under a thick layer of ash and pumice. This devastating event preserved the cities in a remarkable state, providing invaluable insights into Roman life and culture.

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  • 7. 

    If the Romans had known about the history of Mount Vesuvius, would the information have helped them survive?

    • No, there were no previous eruptions.

    • Yes, they would have known about two earlier catastrophic eruptions that wiped out entire populations.

    • No, previous eruptions were so different and insignificant that the information would have been meaningless.

    Correct Answer
    A. Yes, they would have known about two earlier catastrophic eruptions that wiped out entire populations.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "Yes, they would have known about two earlier catastrophic eruptions that wiped out entire populations." This answer suggests that if the Romans had known about the history of Mount Vesuvius, they would have been aware of the previous devastating eruptions that had caused significant loss of life. This knowledge could have potentially helped them take precautions and evacuate the area, increasing their chances of survival.

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  • 8. 

    On the day of the eruption the wind blew inland from the southeast. If the winds came from the north and blew out to sea would you have experenced less devastation?

    • No, the winds make little difference to volcanic eruptions.

    • No, the force of the eruption was so powerful that nothing was going to stop it.

    • Yes, the wind would have blown the volcanos debris out over the bay and it would have caused less damage.

    Correct Answer
    A. Yes, the wind would have blown the volcanos debris out over the bay and it would have caused less damage.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is that if the winds came from the north and blew out to sea, there would have been less devastation. This is because the wind would have blown the volcano's debris out over the bay, reducing the amount of damage caused by the eruption.

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  • 9. 

    How far is Mt. Vesuvius from Pompeii?

    • 20.2 miles

    • 13.5 miles

    • 4.3 miles

    Correct Answer
    A. 4.3 miles
    Explanation
    Mt. Vesuvius is located approximately 4.3 miles away from Pompeii. This close proximity between the two locations played a significant role in the destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD when Mt. Vesuvius erupted. The volcanic eruption buried the city under a thick layer of ash and pumice, preserving it remarkably well and providing valuable insights into the daily life of ancient Romans. The short distance between Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii allowed for the rapid and devastating impact of the eruption on the city and its inhabitants.

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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Oct 20, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • May 23, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Coolcats
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