Pompeii’s 2,000-year-old eruption just gave scientists a better clock for Earth’s past

Mount Vesuvius’ famous 79 CE eruption has given scientists a remarkably precise benchmark for dating events deep in Earth’s past. The improved technique could sharpen the timelines of volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, extinctions, and other major moments in geological history.

Published on RocksNews: 30 Sept 2026, 15:30 UTC
Updated: 30 Sept 2026, 15:30 UTC
Language: English

Pompeii’s 2,000-year-old eruption just gave scientists a better clock for Earth’s past — Pompeii’s 2,000-year-old eruption just gave scientists a better clock for Earth’s past — Image credit: ScienceDaily

Mount Vesuvius’ famous 79 CE eruption has given scientists a remarkably precise benchmark for dating events deep in Earth’s past. The improved technique could sharpen the timelines of volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, extinctions, and other major moments in geological history.

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Pompeii’s 2,000-year-old eruption just gave scientists a better clock for Earth’s past | RocksNews