I just received an answer from the professor that was interviewed in this article. His answer explains why going east is not advised. There was just another eru

I just received an answer from the professor that was interviewed in this article. His answer explains why going east is not advised. There was just another eruption that can be compared to the one of 79 BC, and happened around 2000 BC. During that event, the direction of the material was towards east, reaching the city of Avellino. Other (less intense) eruptions that have been studied all showed that winds generally go to east/east south east. 79BC is considered an unicum. To wrap up: - if you time-travel to 79BC you may survive going to Nuceria, but we don't have evidence of anyone survived through that path - the ones we know survived the event, went to Neaples - For future eruptions, go north or south, but avoid east - winds at 2-4000m are much different respect to what you feel at the ground