The smallest unit of an element, consisting of at least one proton and (for all elements except hydrogen) one or more neutrons in a dense central nucleus, surrounded by one or more shells of electrons. In electrically neutral atoms, the number of protons equals the number of electrons.
By the time the Vesuvius eruption sputtered to an end the next day, Pompeii was buried under millions of tons of volcanic ash. About 2,000 people were dead. Some people drifted back to town in search of lost relatives or belongings, but there was not much left to find.
Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Day Trip from Naples. Discover the ancient town of Pompeii and the volcano that made it famous on a full-day tour from Napoli. Set out to explore the exquisitely preserved archaeological site, covered with pumice and ash during Mt Vesuvius's iconic eruption in AD 79.