Ep 2. Volcano Doctors

Life on Fire is an awe-inspiring journey into the world of volcanoes, following scientists and individuals who live in the shadow of this primal force of nature. The second episode of the first season is titled “Volcano Doctors.”

The episode takes us to Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Nyiragongo poses a constant threat to the nearby city of Goma. In 2002, a massive eruption destroyed much of the city, leaving thousands dead and displaced. Since then, a team of scientists has been working to understand the volcano’s behavior in order to better predict its next eruption.

The team, led by volcanologist Dario Tedesco, is made up of a diverse group of experts from around the world. They work together to collect and analyze data that will help them predict the volcano’s next move. Using geodetic instruments, they measure the movement of the ground, while gas sensors and thermal cameras measure the volcano’s activity.

We also meet local pyroclastic flow expert Cécile Julie, who has spent her entire life studying and documenting the behavior of the volcano. Cécile takes us on a journey up the volcano, explaining the unique challenges of studying this unpredictable force of nature.

As the team works to understand the volcano, they also strive to communicate their findings with the local community. In a city as densely populated as Goma, timely and accurate predictions are vital to the safety of the people who live there. The team works with local officials to plan emergency responses and evacuation procedures in case of an eruption.

The episode also takes us to Iceland, where we meet geologist Ármann Höskuldsson. Ármann studies another active volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, which erupted in 2010, spewing ash into the atmosphere and disrupting air travel across Europe. Ármann takes us to the crater of the volcano, explaining how the eruption gave scientists a rare opportunity to study the volcano up close.

The researchers in Iceland are studying the interactions between magma and the water found in the surrounding glaciers. These interactions can cause explosive eruptions or create lava flows, depending on the ratio of magma to water. By studying the chemistry of the magma and the surrounding rocks, the team hopes to gain a better understanding of how these eruptions occur.

The team’s research has broader implications for understanding the behavior of all volcanoes. By studying these two very different volcanoes - Nyiragongo and Eyjafjallajökull - they hope to gain insight into the underlying processes that govern volcanic activity.

Throughout the episode, we see the passion and dedication of the scientists who study volcanoes. They work tirelessly to understand and predict these powerful and unpredictable forces of nature, always with an eye towards protecting the people who live in their shadow.

Overall, “Volcano Doctors” is a fascinating look into the groundbreaking work being done by scientists around the world to better understand volcanoes. Through stunning photography and engaging interviews, the episode brings the excitement and danger of studying these powerful natural phenomena to life.