It was 1944 and the Second World War was raging. In Italy, American airmen were stationed at Pompeii Airfield when the debris started falling, but this was no ordinary wartime air raid. The cinder and rock dropping from the sky were being sent forth by the volcano dominating the horizon: Mount Vesuvius. Overhead, bombers wheeled in the air, their pilots’ minds turning from the threat of flack to an altogether more pervasive menace.
Continue reading...Monday, April 27, 2009
Dr Tom Pfeiffer steps gingerly across the Kilauea lava flow. It is hard to tell which direction to go in, and in the harsh volcanic landscape, even harder to judge distances. The terrain is tough as hell, undulating underfoot and too hot to proceed in places. Then there is the lava to think about. In a flash, the base of the fresh cone above the lava skylight collapses, giving way to a huge surge of molten rock that rapidly begins flooding the entire area.
Continue reading...Thursday, April 23, 2009
At Environmental Graffiti, we're a bit partial towards all things volcanic. Little surprise then, that the idea of volcanoes combined with another extreme and volatile natural phenomenon – lightning – really got us rubbing our hands together. Prepare for fire and brimstone clashes of epic proportions as two of Mother Earth's most powerful forces go head to head – and we marvel at the mystery of volcanic lightning.
Continue reading...Thursday, October 30, 2008
Limnic eruptions are well outside of public consciousness. Not surprising, considering their extreme rarity. In all of recorded human history we only know of two for certain. Both occurred in Africa in the 1980s; one at Lake Monoun in 1984 and then a particularly deadly one at Lake Nyos in 1986. The latter killed as many as 1,800 people and the lakes have yet to recover.
Continue reading...Monday, September 1, 2008
Few things in nature are as unpredictable as the majestic volcano. Unleashing billowing ash, lava and pyroclastic flows when the Earth’s tectonics plates push and shove at each other like bullies in a playground, volcanoes are testament to the devastating and deadly forces of nature. Their allure remains uncanny but not unsurprising.
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Monday, August 24, 2009
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