On the day of August 24, 79 AD, in the Roman city of Pompeii, Italy, 12-year-old Marco Ricci walks with a skip in his step because it is his birthday.
Look, there is smoke coming out of Mount Vesuvius!
Marco is scared by his friend Francisco.
RUN!!!
AHH!!
Oh God!
Marco plays ball with Francisco.
Come on, we have to go!
When Marco and his family are eating, Mount Vesuvius erupts!
Marco and his family run from shelter to shelter trying to escape the eruption. Lava spewed at 1.5 million tons per second. Ash filled the atmosphere, turning day into night.
Marco, his family, and a few neighbors barely escape on a boat to Greece.