Ep 1. Icelandic Volcanoes

Life on Fire is a documentary series that explores the planet's most dangerous and fascinating volcanoes, and the wildlife that somehow thrives amidst the fiery chaos. In season one, episode one, titled Icelandic Volcanoes, we're taken on a journey to the volcanic island of Iceland, where volcanoes have been erupting for over 25 million years.

The episode begins with a helicopter ride over the rugged and desolate terrain of Iceland, showcasing the breathtaking beauty and raw power of the island's volcanoes. The camera then zooms in to show the wild and hardy creatures that call this harsh landscape home. Icelandic horses, reindeer, and Arctic foxes are just a few of the animals covered.

The focus then shifts to Iceland's most famous volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, which erupted in 2010 and caused widespread flight cancellations and a disruption in European air traffic. We see images of the eruption and are reminded of how its fiery ash clouds impacted life across Europe. We also get a glimpse of how the eruption affected Icelandic farmers, who had to deal with the aftermath of ash falling on their crops.

The episode then moves on to explore the work of the scientists who monitor Iceland's volcanoes to try and predict when they'll erupt. We're introduced to the work of the Iceland Meteorological Office and the Reykjavik Volcano Observatory, whose job it is to keep watch on the island's active volcanoes and issue early warnings if a volcano starts to show signs of activity.

The second half of the episode delves deeper into the origins of Iceland's volcanic landscape, exploring the geological forces that have shaped the island. We're shown how Iceland sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the world's longest underwater mountain range, where the Eurasian tectonic plate and the North American plate are slowly pulling apart. The episode explains how this geological activity creates the volcanic eruptions that have shaped Iceland over the past 25 million years.

Throughout the episode, stunning footage showcases the power and intensity of Iceland's volcanoes, from the searing heat of glowing lava to the towering ash plumes from erupting vents. We also meet the people who live and work in close proximity to these volatile forces of nature, including farmers, scientists, and adventurers.

In conclusion, Life on Fire season one episode one, Icelandic Volcanoes, is a fascinating look at one of the planet's most unique and dramatic environments. From the hardy wildlife to the intrepid scientists and the awe-inspiring forces of nature, this episode serves as an engaging introduction to the series' focus on the world's most intriguing and dangerous volcanoes.