Watch Volcano Stories

2018
1 Season

Volcanoes are one of nature's most awe-inspiring and terrifying phenomena. Dynamic, unpredictable, and deadly, they have shaped our planet from the very beginning, molding landscapes and altering the course of life on earth. But beyond their destructive potential, volcanoes also contain a wealth of fascinating and beautiful stories, each one unique and captivating in its own way. MagellanTV's Volcano Stories takes viewers on a thrilling journey into the heart of these fiery mountains, revealing the secrets and mysteries that lie beneath their smoldering surfaces.

At its core, Volcano Stories is a documentary series that explores the science, history, and culture of volcanoes around the world. Each episode takes a deep dive into a specific volcanic site, examining its geology, eruptions, and impact on the surrounding environment. From the desolate wastelands of Iceland's Krafla volcano to the lush rainforests of Costa Rica's Arenal volcano, the series transports viewers to some of the most fascinating and treacherous locations on earth.

But Volcano Stories is more than just a scientific exploration of these natural wonders. Through interviews with experts in volcanology, anthropology, and other fields, the series delves into the cultural significance of volcanoes, exploring the many ways they have shaped human societies throughout history. From the ancient Greeks, who saw volcanoes as the home of the gods, to the modern-day residents of Pompeii, who still carry the scars of a devastating eruption that occurred nearly 2,000 years ago, the series uncovers the deep connections between humanity and these fiery mountains.

One of the most compelling aspects of Volcano Stories is its stunning visual imagery. Using state-of-the-art cameras and cutting-edge techniques, the series captures the dramatic landscapes of volcanoes in breathtaking detail. Whether it's a close-up of boiling lava or an aerial shot of a smoking caldera, the series brings viewers face-to-face with the raw power and beauty of these awe-inspiring mountains.

In addition to its scientific and cultural content, Volcano Stories also offers plenty of suspense and drama. Through gripping first-hand accounts of volcanic eruptions and disasters, the series highlights the life-and-death stakes that come with studying and living near these explosive mountains. Whether it's experiencing the terror of an unexpected eruption or braving the dangers of a volcanic crater, the series keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

Throughout its eight episodes, Volcano Stories covers a wide range of topics and locations, offering a comprehensive and engaging look at one of the most fascinating and misunderstood forces of nature. Whether you're a science buff, a lover of adventure, or just someone who appreciates stunning visual storytelling, this series is a must-watch. From start to finish, Volcano Stories is a thrilling and unforgettable journey into the heart of some of the most remarkable and dramatic landscapes on earth.

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Seasons

20. Ecuador: Standing Against the Volcano

June 15, 2018

In 2006, a town at the base of the Tangurahua volcano was destroyed. The event brought its inhabitants together. They have joined a surveillance network watch the volcano, while resurrecting an ancestral Incan tradition of planting community fields for growing food. Meanwhile, the city of Banos celebrates the Virgin of the sacred water, who is believed to protect against the volcano's anger.

19. Ecuador: Beneath the Volcanic Glacier

June 15, 2018

In Ecuador, the Cotopaxi volcano rises to nearly 6,000 meters in altitude. Glaciers covering its crest are prone to melting and triggering devastating mudslides. Scientific expeditions conducted at such high altitude are a challenge. Local residents stand ready to evacuate their herds should an eruption take place. A shaman maintains an ancient spiritual practice of heating volcanic rocks.

18. Mauna Loa: Monster of the Pacific

June 15, 2018

Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on the planet. If its unstable flanks were to collapse into the ocean, it cause a tsunami unlike anything in human history. G

17. Hawaii: the Fires of Kilauea

June 15, 2018

The Kilauea volcano has been erupting continuously since 1983. It sends glowing streams flowing into the Pacific in a magical commotion of water and fire, transforming the island into an everlasting cycle of creation and destruction. Even as the volcano creates new land, it destroys entire villages. Every week, those who have rebuilt come together and celebrate the bond that ties them to the land.

16. Guatemala: The Fuego Volcano

June 15, 2018

In Guatemala, the Fuego volcano is permanently active, threatening tens of thousands people who live in its shadow. Gustavo Chigna, a volcanologist, inspects its slopes to measure the quantities of accumulated volcanic materials. In the village of La Trinidad, located five kilometers from the active crater, lives a small community that understands and has prepared for the risks of an eruption.

15. Guatemala: Volcanoes of the Maya

June 15, 2018

In Guatemala, the Santiaguito volcano was born less than 100 years ago. Scientists now come from all over the world to observe its youthful behaviors. But this research is also geared to protecting people and coffee plantations at its foot. For the descendants of the Mayan people, the Santiaguito and many other volcanoes of the region symbolize the creative power of nature.

14. Unzen: Humans Against the Giant

June 15, 2018

Japan's Mount Unzen violently awakened in 1991 after two centuries of sleep. For five years, an outpouring of gas and ash destroyed everything. But the Japanese stood up to the volcano. They created dams to prevent catastrophic mud flows. In Japan, the sense of belonging to the land is very strong, especially when one can enjoy the benefits of geothermal energy: hot baths and volcanic cooking.

13. Sakurajima: Life Beneath the Ashes

June 15, 2018

In Japan, the Sakurajima volcano erupts almost daily and threatens the 600,000 inhabitants that live at its feet. Every morning, children make their way to school with protective helmets. The ash that accumulates in the village forces the inhabitants to perform a daily cleaning. But these ashes are also a source of benefits. Mr. Shirahama, a farmer, cultivates the largest radishes in the world.

12. Tanzania: The Maasai Volcano

June 15, 2018

Tanzania's Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano spews liquid black lava that turns snow white when it cools down. Our distant ancestors left footprints that were petrified by the volcano 20,000 years ago. One volcanologist has been studying it intensively by regularly making the treacherous climb to its summit. At its foot, the Maasa

11. Reunion Island: In the Heart of a Volcano

June 15, 2018

Here at Reunion Island, off Madagascar, is one of the world's most active volcanoes. A volcanologist monitors this volcano closely because of its five annual eruptions. This sleeping giant, the venerable Piton des Neiges volcano, shows traces of millions of years of volcanic activity. This record helps scientists anticipate the future transformations of its neighbor, the Piton de la Fournaise.

10. Stromboli: From Hell to Paradise

June 15, 2018

The island of Stromboli, part of the Aeolian Island chain off the coast of Sicily, attracts thousands of visitors every year despite its active and dangerous volcano. It owes its renown today to Rossellini's legendary film, Stromboli, featuring Ingrid Bergman, and their tumultuous love story during the film shooting. Before then, the Aeolian islands were poor, inhospitable, and dangerous.

9. Naples: In the Shadow of Vesuvius

June 15, 2018

Vesuvius is one of the world's most famous and dangerous volcanoes. At its feet lies the city of Naples, the third largest city in Italy, and its 970,000 inhabitants. Its eruption, in 79 AD made history and it literally destroyed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. For centuries, Neapolitans have accepted this risk, most unaware that another volcano slumbers nearby ready to awaken.

8. Kawah Ijen: The Hell of Sulfur

June 15, 2018

The Indonesian volcano, Kawah Ijen, guards its turbulent interior. Miners extracting sulfur here must work in extreme conditions, often carrying out some 75 kilos of the substance on their backs. Sum Arti, a volcanologist, monitors the level of danger linked to gases and seeks to protect miners from the risk of gas bubbles that can potentially be lethal.

7. Bromo: The Sacred Volcano of Java

June 15, 2018

Every year in Indonesia, a torchlight procession makes its way towards the smoking crater of the Bromo volcano. Thousands of pilgrims make offerings to the crater, which is considered an incarnation of a Hindu god, including fruits, vegetables, chickens, and more. Women and men come to give back to the volcano. They pray that it will grant them life even as it threatens them with death.

6. Iceland and the Lords of Fire

June 15, 2018

The volcanoes that formed the ancient island of Iceland impose their will on all its inhabitants. Beyond the risk of fires, a rising source of concern is linked to the glaciers that cover some of these volcanoes. These are monitored daily as their interaction with the volcanic heat, deep down, can generate huge glacial floods that destroy everything on their path.

5. Volcanic Guardians of Iceland

June 15, 2018

In 1973, a powerful eruption destroyed half of the city of Heimaey in Iceland. To access these steep islands, the islanders have had to adapt, using a zip line to hoist their sheep from a frail boat onto the green volcanic island. Further away, Surtsey Island emerged from the waves only 50 years ago in the wake of a violent volcanic eruption, and has become a laboratory for naturalists.

4. Auvergne: The Sleeping Giants

June 15, 2018

Despite their peaceful demeanor, the volcanoes of Auvergne in France share a tumultuous past. Large reserves of magma have been discovered below them. A new eruption is much more likely. The Pavin Lake is said to be cursed. Although today it remains quiet, many stories reveal that it was surprisingly active until the eighteenth century, with villages being engulfed by a violent outpouring of lava.

3. New Zealand: Human Treasures

June 15, 2018

Local sources of geothermal energy are one of the great volcanic treasures from "the land of the long white cloud." Some Maori tribes have integrated this natural energy to their daily lives. This phenomenal source of energy also has more modern applications: it can provide enough electricity for 160,000 homes in New Zealand.

2. New Zealand: Volcanic Lakes in Maori Land

June 15, 2018

White Island, located 40 kilometres off the New Zealand coast, is a unique place, home to a capricious lake of craters that flows into the sea or evaporates depending on magmatic activity. For the Maori people, these volcanic lakes are the sacred home of gods like Ruapehu. When scientists come to study this lake, they abide by their rules and follow the prayers of a Maori guide.

1. Etna: The Mountain's Mountain

June 15, 2018

Mount Etna is the highest and most active volcano in Europe. It erupts once or twice a year, threatening the 900,000 people who live nearby. Each year, half a million Sicilians congregate and pray to Santa Agata, the protector of the city. They pray for protection against the fiery giant. They would never leave this volcanic land, a land of milk and honey and the best oranges in the world.

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