Scientists Dated the Catastrophic Pompeii Eruption Using Only Rocks. Here’s How Close They Got

“Argon-argon dating” is a common technique scientists use to reveal when a geological event, such as a volcanic eruption, took place. The problem is that it’s difficult to apply to recent occurrences. To address this issue, a team of researchers looked to an ancient Roman writer for help.

In a study published Friday in Science Advances, scientists used argon-argon dating to date pumice samples from Mount Vesuvius’ eruption. They compared this age with the historical date—August 24th, 79 CE, according…