Vesuvius - No Way Out | In the Shadow of Volcanoes (1/5)

The arc of Tyrrhenian volcanoes that stretches from Pozzuoli north of Naples to Sicily is one of the most active – and little known – in the world. The archetypal “restless volcano” is also close to one of Europe’s most densely populated areas. Though it hasn’t erupted since 1538, it has shown worrying signs on and off since the 1970s. The Campi Flegrei is an area north of Naples that occupies a 20km wide volcanic crater at sea level. Possibly more dangerous than Vesuvius but less imposing as a Volcano is the 20 km wide caldera known as the Campi Flegrei. While Vesuvius rises high out of the Campania plain the Campi Flegrei volcano is at sea level and visibly active. The area around the volcano is densely inhabited: Pozzuoli is a working class suburb of Naples. It has been a place of religious cult since the first Greek settlements. The people of Pozzuoli live with the risk of a catastrophic explosion, and yet go on with their daily lives. In the 1970s and 80s many of the inhabitants of

Known as the island of 100 volcanoes, Lanzarote is the easternmost island in the Canary Islands. Volcanic cones are dotted across the island’s dramatic landscape, forged by the struggle between fire and water. Massive Atlantic waves that crash up against the reef formed by the volcanic eruptions in the past make Lanzarote a surfer’s paradise (we interview a famous big wave surfer and a body boarder, and see them in action!). Wind and ash have made the land fertile, yet but extremely difficult to farm, as is evident in the vineyards and biological vegetable farms featured. Eruptions over the centuries destroyed much of the island, leaving an underground labyrinth of lava tubes and secret underwater lakes. The award winning wines cultivated here in a unique agricultural practice show just how resilient both man and nature are. ------- Chapters ▷ 0:00 - Intro ▷ 00:49 - Lanzarote - Land of 100 Volcanoes | In the Shadow of Volcanoes (5/5) ▷ 44:42 - Credits ------- ------- Millions of people around the world live under the shadow of a volcano. We have chosen

The Nisyros/Kos caldera complex is one of the most menacing in the whole Mediterranean basin. The main caldera is on Nisyros, where it provides a tourist attraction and over the millennia has rendered the earth extremely fertile. There are three natural spas on the island, which attracts a small number of tourists every year. The main activities are fishing and tourism, and the active caldera, with a massive lava reservoir just three kilometers below the surface, provides spectacular mini eruptions. The caldera is just 1.5 kilometers from the main town on the island, but the whole caldera complex actually extends all the way to Kos, one of Greece’s major tourist attractions. The volcano is extremely active and continues to eject gases. If it were to explode, the Nisyros/Kos volcano complex would wipe out the islands of the Aegean with a massive Tsunami. The East Aegean chain of volcanos stretches all along the adduction line between the Asian and African continents and has destroyed more than one Mediterranean civilization. We follow a family of fishermen and hear the way they feel

Mount Etna is Europe’s largest non-submerged volcano. At more than 3000 meters high it is also a stunning sight from the sea – dominating the Eastern Sicilian coast. Like all Italian volcanoes this one began at the bending fault line where the Euroasian and African continental plates meet and twist. Over hundreds of thousands of years the volcano has produced spectacular eruptions and lava flows. The ash has made the plains around the mountain extremely fertile, producing the best oranges and fine wines. This episode features the orange groves and vineyards of Etna, mostly harvested by the women of the community. The slopes of Etna are among the most fertile in Italy. We concentrate on the agricultural repercussions of the volcano and how the local communities accept the danger caused by Etna because of the advantages its regular eruptions provide. Etna dominates the city of Catania, where tourists come to admire the mountain when in full eruption, safe in the knowledge that an erupting volcano is letting off steam, not building it up for a future explosion. However, monitoring the

Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia are 3 countries that couldn't be further away from the heart of war-torn Europe. But despite this, several key battles between the Allies and Axis powers took place here. They saw some of the harshest fighting in the most adverse conditions. But how did war reach the continent of Africa? War Stories is your one stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts. You can find more from us on

Born out of fire: When a new crater opens up on the green Atlantic island of La Palma in September 2021, no one suspects that it will be the largest and most destructive volcanic eruption in five centuries in Europe - and a rare chance for many scientists to watch evolution at work. For nearly three months, the volcano spews out gigantic chunks of pyroclast, lava and ash. At times, several lava flows push their way down the mountain flank. Whatever stands in their way is destroyed and buried under a layer of lava up to 60 meters high. But out of the destruction grows new life - nature around a volcano has many adaptation strategies. The volcanic eruption on La Palma is a reminder of how extreme living conditions once were on our planet. It also reminds us that throughout Earth's history, such catastrophes have also meant opportunities for new life and the adaptation of species of animals and plants that will prevail until history presents them with new challenges. ------- Chapters ▷ 00:00 - Introduction ▷ 00:59