It must have been a terrible day for the residents of Pompeii, when in 79ad mount Vesuvius exploded, after being dormant for over half a millennium, with the power of five atomic bombs, burying the town with up to 100 feet of mostly volcanic ash. After the initial unsuccessful attempt to dig it out, it was forgotten, buried deeply in volcanic ash and mud, for around 1700 years, until someone rediscovered it while digging the land for agricultural purpose. It was a great archeological discovery, and gives such a clear insight into life two millennia ago with largely intact houses, shops, theaters and gymnasiums. The excavation is still an ongoing project. This was far bigger, and better, than Ostia Antica in Rome. 
Encolarno, another town near by, had similar fate in the same explosion, but it was buried under volcanic material and lava, so it was probably more difficult excavate and serious efforts were made only in this century to dig it out. only a small part has been excavated so far, but some of the stuff is more intact than even Pompeii. 
I made a quick visit to Mount Vesuvius too. It is still alive and well, and due for a big one, hopefully only after a few hundred years. It was a good place to ponder how unexpected and fleeing life is. Back in Naples, i only wanted to get to the highest point to take some pictures of the city, with very little interest or energy left for the few remaining castles, museums and churches. I was tired and my back was hurting. It was time for a quick power nap before catching the night train to Venice.
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