The arabs took to Spain many inventions, but not all these things were invented by muslims. Many were invented before Islam existed, as paper and gunpowder. And the Giralda is formerly a mosque tower in Seville, not an observatory. I don't know if someone used it for that purpose.
I think the romans of Pompeii weren't so advanced in volcanism matters, but the same could be said about ourselves because the sides of the Vesubius are still very populated, and history repeats itself
To hurry or not it's their random decision. Police's job is better after something illegal happens, one can expect more justice from investigator officials than from a lynch mob.
RE: a Lobster V a Crab