To hear the thunder of a volcanic explosion is an unforgettable emotion, such as the vision of thousands of magma fragments that, flying hundreds of meters high, cross the deep blue sky. It is wild and ancestral force, an emotion that arises from something deeply buried into us. It is something volcanologists (those who study volcanoes as a job) know very well, but it is even better known by those who simply love volcanoes, those who are fond of volcanoes, the amateurs of the magma. To say the truth, more than a passion it is a drug, capable of giving addiction and a true and real dependency. One may begin by chance, by assisting to an eruption and then it becomes a life lasting addiction; one then finds oneself dedicating all the dreamt holidays to the spasmodic attempt of watching a "paroxysm", the top in spectacularity, magnificence and umpredictability among the many shows a volcano can offer.
Often when one thinks of volcanoes, one’s thoughts fly oversea, maybe to the Hawaii or to the Reunion island, without thinking that, not so far away, in Italy, there is one of the most active and spectacular volcanoes in the world, which is able to offer wonderful emotions with no equal: it is Etna.
"Mad about volcanoes" people, here presented in action, on the edge of the erupting mouths, know it very well.

Stromboli. net - News and images about Etna, Stromboli and other volcanoes

Where: Mount Etna, Catania (Italy), Bromo volcano (Indonesia)
Images : 40 colour slides , HR and LR scans available
Text: English, French and Italian article available.