if you read the story, you'll find in the final part that Velut Luna, who wrote it, had researched the events of the eruption very thoroughly, and 'timed' that final scene in accordance with what is known about the stages of the catastrophe - Luna had herself grown up in Cuma, and knew a great deal about Pompeii, which makes the entire story vividly realistic, and truthful to its historical setting.When the volcano Mount Vesuvius just erupted, Pompeii is plunging into oblivion, and you cannot look at the sight.