How long did the darkness last during the Pompeii eruption?

During the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, darkness enveloped Pompeii for about 18 hours. This was primarily due to the thick clouds of ash and pumice that were expelled into the atmosphere. The darkness began shortly after the eruption commenced, causing widespread panic among the inhabitants. Many were unable to escape the deadly fallout, leading to the city’s tragic fate.