1 00:00:01,368 --> 00:00:04,538 NARRATOR: Journey to one of the most extreme places on Earth. 2 00:00:04,538 --> 00:00:06,840 TOM: The whole wall over here seems to be on fire, 3 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:08,609 blue fire. 4 00:00:08,609 --> 00:00:12,346 It is a truly hellish place. 5 00:00:12,346 --> 00:00:14,648 NARRATOR: Where miners brave a toxic environment 6 00:00:14,648 --> 00:00:16,750 to carry out their back-breaking work. 7 00:00:16,750 --> 00:00:19,653 ANDI: It's about 68 kilograms. 8 00:00:19,653 --> 00:00:22,189 NARRATOR: Then it's on to Hell's island... 9 00:00:22,189 --> 00:00:25,225 [Explosion] 10 00:00:25,225 --> 00:00:26,760 NARRATOR: Home to one of the most active volcanoes 11 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:28,562 on the planet... 12 00:00:28,562 --> 00:00:33,267 [Explosion] 13 00:00:33,267 --> 00:00:35,135 NARRATOR: ...where it rains fire at night, 14 00:00:35,135 --> 00:00:37,771 in nature's greatest spectacle. 15 00:00:39,673 --> 00:00:44,678 ♪♪♪ 16 00:00:44,678 --> 00:00:49,683 ♪♪♪ 17 00:00:49,683 --> 00:00:54,688 ♪♪♪ 18 00:00:54,688 --> 00:00:59,693 ♪♪♪ 19 00:00:59,693 --> 00:01:04,631 ♪♪♪ 20 00:01:04,631 --> 00:01:09,636 ♪♪♪ 21 00:01:09,636 --> 00:01:14,574 ♪♪♪ 22 00:01:17,077 --> 00:01:21,214 ♪♪♪ 23 00:01:21,214 --> 00:01:23,583 NARRATOR: Indonesia is one of the most volcanically active 24 00:01:23,583 --> 00:01:25,686 countries in the world. 25 00:01:25,686 --> 00:01:28,588 Its more than 17,000 islands are largely 26 00:01:28,588 --> 00:01:30,757 the result of volcanos. 27 00:01:34,261 --> 00:01:36,463 NARRATOR: The most populated island is Java, 28 00:01:36,463 --> 00:01:41,635 which has 45 active volcanoes. 29 00:01:41,635 --> 00:01:45,772 At the very edge of Java you'll find Ijen Caldera, 30 00:01:45,772 --> 00:01:50,877 an ancient volcano that erupted violently 50,000 years ago... 31 00:01:50,877 --> 00:01:55,349 creating a massive crater the size of New York city. 32 00:01:55,349 --> 00:01:57,851 Since then, many new volcanos have formed 33 00:01:57,851 --> 00:02:01,521 around this crater. 34 00:02:01,521 --> 00:02:04,825 Ijen is an area of contrasts. 35 00:02:04,825 --> 00:02:07,327 The nutrient volcanic soils make it one of the best 36 00:02:07,327 --> 00:02:10,197 growing areas in Indonesia. 37 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:17,070 NARRATOR: Rice and coffee plantations have made this region wealthy 38 00:02:17,070 --> 00:02:19,439 by Indonesian standards. 39 00:02:19,439 --> 00:02:22,409 It's a stark contrast to the volcanic landscapes 40 00:02:22,409 --> 00:02:25,512 just above the town. 41 00:02:26,279 --> 00:02:29,149 NARRATOR: Volcanologist and photographer Tom Pfeiffer 42 00:02:29,149 --> 00:02:32,853 has been to Ijen many times before, 43 00:02:32,853 --> 00:02:36,456 but he is back with fellow guide Andi Rosanto 44 00:02:36,456 --> 00:02:39,092 because of a recent discovery that is exciting 45 00:02:39,092 --> 00:02:41,695 the volcano world. 46 00:02:41,695 --> 00:02:44,464 Ijen produces an extremely rare phenomenon 47 00:02:44,464 --> 00:02:48,101 called blue fire. 48 00:02:48,101 --> 00:02:50,504 But it's only been discovered recently. 49 00:02:50,504 --> 00:02:53,607 That's because it happens at the bottom of the crater, 50 00:02:53,607 --> 00:02:55,642 which is one of the most inhospitable 51 00:02:55,642 --> 00:02:59,279 and toxic places on Earth. 52 00:02:59,279 --> 00:03:02,082 Visitors had been restricted to daylight hours, 53 00:03:02,082 --> 00:03:05,352 and the blue fire can only be seen at night. 54 00:03:08,088 --> 00:03:10,657 NARRATOR: Tom is back to photograph them for a new book 55 00:03:10,657 --> 00:03:14,261 he is putting together on the world's active volcanoes. 56 00:03:15,295 --> 00:03:18,365 TOM: It's a major tourist attraction... 57 00:03:18,365 --> 00:03:22,702 both for its beautiful lake, the scenery, 58 00:03:22,702 --> 00:03:27,140 but mainly for the occurrence of these huge sulfur deposits 59 00:03:27,140 --> 00:03:28,775 and the human activity that's going on there, 60 00:03:28,775 --> 00:03:30,610 the mining. 61 00:03:30,610 --> 00:03:33,413 All this makes you maybe even forget it is actually 62 00:03:33,413 --> 00:03:36,149 one of the most dangerous volcanoes. 63 00:03:36,149 --> 00:03:39,853 NARRATOR: This is because Ijen erupts every 10-20 years, 64 00:03:39,853 --> 00:03:42,656 and it can produce phreatic eruptions 65 00:03:42,656 --> 00:03:45,592 where water comes into contact with magma 66 00:03:45,592 --> 00:03:50,163 and flashes to steam, causing a major explosion. 67 00:03:50,163 --> 00:03:54,701 These eruptions can occur without any warning. 68 00:03:54,701 --> 00:03:57,170 The dangers are an occupational hazard 69 00:03:57,170 --> 00:04:00,073 for a volcanologist. 70 00:04:00,073 --> 00:04:03,477 The crater is a 30-minute drive outside of town, 71 00:04:03,477 --> 00:04:06,646 a modest hour and half to the crater rim. 72 00:04:10,417 --> 00:04:13,220 NARRATOR: The hike starts out fairly easy, 73 00:04:13,220 --> 00:04:15,722 but as you climb higher, you're quickly reminded 74 00:04:15,722 --> 00:04:17,791 by the changes in the landscape 75 00:04:17,791 --> 00:04:20,393 and strong odor of rotten eggs 76 00:04:20,393 --> 00:04:24,564 that this is an active volcano. 77 00:04:24,564 --> 00:04:28,401 The crater rim is a charred and desolate landscape, 78 00:04:28,401 --> 00:04:33,173 reminiscent of a primordial world. 79 00:04:33,173 --> 00:04:36,443 At the bottom of this crater is Kiawah Ijen, 80 00:04:36,443 --> 00:04:41,481 a turquoise acid lake: beautiful, but deadly. 81 00:04:41,481 --> 00:04:44,551 TOM: There you can see the plumes coming up from there. 82 00:04:44,551 --> 00:04:48,155 There is an area of extremely active fumaroles, 83 00:04:48,155 --> 00:04:51,791 small fractures in the rock where sulfur gasses come out. 84 00:04:53,827 --> 00:04:55,762 NARRATOR: The blue flames can be seen at night 85 00:04:55,762 --> 00:04:59,332 at the base of these jets. 86 00:04:59,332 --> 00:05:02,202 The gas is an eerie reminder that fresh magma 87 00:05:02,202 --> 00:05:06,239 lies just below the crater floor. 88 00:05:06,239 --> 00:05:08,542 sulfur is one of the most abundant trace elements 89 00:05:08,542 --> 00:05:10,577 in magma. 90 00:05:10,577 --> 00:05:13,480 As magma rises from inside the earth, 91 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:17,717 sulfur dioxide and other gases are released. 92 00:05:17,717 --> 00:05:20,787 Because they are lighter and under intense pressure, 93 00:05:20,787 --> 00:05:23,190 they work their way up through cracks and weakness 94 00:05:23,190 --> 00:05:25,158 in the ground. 95 00:05:27,761 --> 00:05:30,564 TOM: Ijen produces a lot of sulfur. 96 00:05:30,564 --> 00:05:33,466 It ranks probably in the top five volcanoes 97 00:05:33,466 --> 00:05:35,769 when it comes to sulfur output. 98 00:05:35,769 --> 00:05:40,073 NARRATOR: Why this happens is still a mystery to scientists. 99 00:05:40,073 --> 00:05:41,641 TOM: You see, each volcano is so different 100 00:05:41,641 --> 00:05:44,544 from another volcano. 101 00:05:44,544 --> 00:05:47,080 It's as if they have their own personalities, 102 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:48,615 something which makes volcanology 103 00:05:48,615 --> 00:05:50,617 so extremely interesting. 104 00:05:50,617 --> 00:05:54,454 You can't always compare one volcano to another. 105 00:05:54,454 --> 00:05:56,523 Each is completely different. 106 00:05:58,358 --> 00:06:01,461 NARRATOR: One of the pluses of a volcano that produces this much sulfur 107 00:06:01,461 --> 00:06:05,632 is that it can be mined. 108 00:06:05,632 --> 00:06:09,369 Liquid sulfur flows out of the base of these jets. 109 00:06:15,442 --> 00:06:19,212 Sulfur mining is a decades old tradition here. 110 00:06:19,212 --> 00:06:23,149 And for these miners, little has changed. 111 00:06:26,219 --> 00:06:28,154 The work is physically demanding 112 00:06:28,154 --> 00:06:30,090 and every hour they spend in the crater 113 00:06:30,090 --> 00:06:32,759 shortens their life. 114 00:06:35,295 --> 00:06:37,597 There are about two hundred miners working here 115 00:06:37,597 --> 00:06:40,433 in 'round the clock' shifts. 116 00:06:40,433 --> 00:06:43,803 Despite the dangerous gases, most of them can't afford 117 00:06:43,803 --> 00:06:47,807 protective gas masks or gloves. 118 00:06:47,807 --> 00:06:49,743 The miners pay dearly for working in these 119 00:06:49,743 --> 00:06:52,512 toxic conditions. 120 00:06:52,512 --> 00:06:56,082 They all have health issues from breathing this toxic air. 121 00:06:56,082 --> 00:06:59,252 Few live beyond 60 years of age. 122 00:06:59,252 --> 00:07:01,321 The miners make two trips a day 123 00:07:01,321 --> 00:07:05,292 carrying their weight in sulfur. 124 00:07:05,292 --> 00:07:06,693 Once they've filled their buckets 125 00:07:06,693 --> 00:07:08,328 with the hardened sulfur, 126 00:07:08,328 --> 00:07:10,463 the miners make their way up the treacherous paths 127 00:07:10,463 --> 00:07:13,500 to the rim, 128 00:07:13,500 --> 00:07:16,703 and then down to a weigh station. 129 00:07:16,703 --> 00:07:20,707 ♪♪♪ 130 00:07:20,707 --> 00:07:27,047 ♪♪♪ 131 00:07:27,047 --> 00:07:29,349 NARRATOR: Many miners develop spinal problems 132 00:07:29,349 --> 00:07:33,153 and separated shoulders that end their careers. 133 00:07:37,824 --> 00:07:40,527 These men represent what is likely the last generation 134 00:07:40,527 --> 00:07:44,798 of miners who will work at Ijen. 135 00:07:44,798 --> 00:07:46,566 Their children have more opportunities 136 00:07:46,566 --> 00:07:47,801 than their fathers, 137 00:07:47,801 --> 00:07:50,670 and are moving to the big cities. 138 00:07:56,476 --> 00:08:00,480 ANDI: It's about 68 kilograms. 139 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:04,351 They can carry like 60 to 75 kilograms, 140 00:08:04,351 --> 00:08:06,686 and this is the first time they have to put it in 141 00:08:06,686 --> 00:08:09,255 the weigh stations to get a coupon. 142 00:08:09,255 --> 00:08:11,124 So, after they get the coupon they can keep the coupon 143 00:08:11,124 --> 00:08:14,160 to get some money to change to the factory. 144 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:18,398 It's like, uh, yeah, nine dollars. 145 00:08:19,766 --> 00:08:23,737 NARRATOR: From here the sulfur goes to be refined. 146 00:08:33,613 --> 00:08:36,783 TOM: So this is the first processing facility 147 00:08:36,783 --> 00:08:40,653 for the sulfur that was extracted from Ijen crater, 148 00:08:40,653 --> 00:08:45,425 where the raw sulfur blocks are being melted. 149 00:08:46,626 --> 00:08:49,662 Once it's boiling it's still full of sand 150 00:08:49,662 --> 00:08:52,165 and other particles that are not useful. 151 00:08:52,165 --> 00:08:54,501 He scoops it out and passes it through 152 00:08:54,501 --> 00:08:56,569 at first a very rough filter. 153 00:08:56,569 --> 00:09:00,039 The liquid runs down to over there where a second person 154 00:09:00,039 --> 00:09:03,676 uses paper filters to extract coarser sand. 155 00:09:05,678 --> 00:09:08,515 NARRATOR: The sulfur mined here has many uses: 156 00:09:08,515 --> 00:09:11,351 in medicines for people living with HIV, 157 00:09:11,351 --> 00:09:14,487 to diet supplements for vegans. 158 00:09:17,090 --> 00:09:19,125 Sulfur is the third most abundant mineral 159 00:09:19,125 --> 00:09:21,361 in our body by weight, 160 00:09:21,361 --> 00:09:25,532 and the sixth most abundant macro mineral in breast milk. 161 00:09:28,802 --> 00:09:32,806 It's used widely in the manufacturing of plastics. 162 00:09:32,806 --> 00:09:36,743 It also is a key ingredient the vulcanization of rubber, 163 00:09:36,743 --> 00:09:39,612 a process developed by Charles Goodyear 164 00:09:39,612 --> 00:09:43,082 that uses sulfur to make tires more durable. 165 00:09:45,251 --> 00:09:47,420 The demand for sulfur from places like Ijen 166 00:09:47,420 --> 00:09:49,222 is decreasing. 167 00:09:49,222 --> 00:09:51,691 This element is a by-product of oil and gas 168 00:09:51,691 --> 00:09:55,662 refining process, which is much cheaper. 169 00:09:57,831 --> 00:10:00,233 But, as the chapter closes on the mining industry 170 00:10:00,233 --> 00:10:04,070 here at Ijen, a new chapter is opening, 171 00:10:04,070 --> 00:10:07,173 driven by blue fire. 172 00:10:09,542 --> 00:10:12,278 Many former miners have now turned to guiding tourists 173 00:10:12,278 --> 00:10:14,280 to the blue flames 174 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:16,716 because to get a permit to make the nighttime descent, 175 00:10:16,716 --> 00:10:19,486 you need a local guide. 176 00:10:19,486 --> 00:10:24,491 ♪♪♪ 177 00:10:24,491 --> 00:10:29,496 ♪♪♪ 178 00:10:29,496 --> 00:10:35,201 ♪♪♪ 179 00:10:35,201 --> 00:10:38,204 TOM: This whole wall seems to be, like, on blue fire. 180 00:10:38,204 --> 00:10:41,808 It is a truly hellish place. 181 00:10:41,808 --> 00:10:46,813 ♪♪♪ 182 00:10:46,813 --> 00:10:50,350 ♪♪♪ 183 00:10:50,350 --> 00:10:52,318 If we go there to take pictures from close 184 00:10:52,318 --> 00:10:54,587 we definitely need gas masks. 185 00:10:54,587 --> 00:11:00,093 There's no way you can breathe this without one. 186 00:11:00,093 --> 00:11:01,528 Even here we have to be careful. 187 00:11:01,528 --> 00:11:04,430 If the wind turns we have to put them on. 188 00:11:04,430 --> 00:11:07,400 Fortunately it seems the wind is relatively stable tonight 189 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:10,637 and all goes this way, so we're good here. 190 00:11:10,637 --> 00:11:13,139 It's an absolutely amazing sight. 191 00:11:13,139 --> 00:11:16,409 I've never seen anything like this. 192 00:11:19,546 --> 00:11:22,148 NARRATOR: The blue flames occur naturally. 193 00:11:22,148 --> 00:11:25,485 Because of the extreme heat, the pure sulfur ignites 194 00:11:25,485 --> 00:11:34,561 as soon as it is exposed to air. 195 00:11:34,561 --> 00:11:36,195 TOM: You can't see the flames in daylight. 196 00:11:36,195 --> 00:11:37,797 I guess they're there, 197 00:11:37,797 --> 00:11:41,634 but you need the darkness to make them visible. 198 00:11:41,634 --> 00:11:43,436 In daylight they're just too faint, 199 00:11:43,436 --> 00:11:44,537 you don't notice them. 200 00:11:44,537 --> 00:11:46,506 NARRATOR: Tom wants to see where the liquid sulfur 201 00:11:46,506 --> 00:11:48,174 is pouring out. 202 00:11:48,174 --> 00:11:50,710 The sulfur gases burn blue, giving it the appearance 203 00:11:50,710 --> 00:11:52,712 of flowing blue lava. 204 00:11:52,712 --> 00:11:56,482 But the noxious cloud is giving him trouble. 205 00:12:00,787 --> 00:12:03,756 TOM: Sorry, it's very difficult to be here 206 00:12:03,756 --> 00:12:06,092 without the gas mask, so excuse me 207 00:12:06,092 --> 00:12:09,028 if I have to put it on from time to time. 208 00:12:15,401 --> 00:12:18,705 Yes, we're in the middle of the fumes. 209 00:12:18,705 --> 00:12:21,374 Without the gas mask it would be hell. 210 00:12:21,374 --> 00:12:24,711 I'm really glad this works. 211 00:12:24,711 --> 00:12:30,116 I don't know how long, but for now it's okay. 212 00:12:30,116 --> 00:12:32,218 The winds will turn again. 213 00:12:32,218 --> 00:12:34,554 Okay, the wind-- Maybe not. 214 00:12:34,554 --> 00:12:37,056 It hasn't turned. 215 00:12:37,624 --> 00:12:39,659 NARRATOR: Because of the wind, Tom isn't able 216 00:12:39,659 --> 00:12:41,594 to get down to see where the liquid sulfur 217 00:12:41,594 --> 00:12:43,162 is flowing out. 218 00:12:43,162 --> 00:12:46,299 He'll have to try another time. 219 00:12:47,233 --> 00:12:50,536 Even in the dark, their work goes on. 220 00:12:50,536 --> 00:12:52,805 Since the discovery of the blue flames, 221 00:12:52,805 --> 00:12:54,407 increasing numbers of visitors 222 00:12:54,407 --> 00:12:57,310 are coming to the crater. 223 00:13:06,452 --> 00:13:10,523 ANDI: Yeah, so now we can see the miners are working 224 00:13:10,523 --> 00:13:14,627 collecting sulfur, and in extreme conditions. 225 00:13:14,627 --> 00:13:18,297 But now at least they have gas masks 226 00:13:18,297 --> 00:13:20,667 and then, you know, it's better conditions, 227 00:13:20,667 --> 00:13:25,638 but still it's kind of an extreme job, I think. 228 00:13:35,782 --> 00:13:38,384 NARRATOR: How long these blue flames will continue to draw in 229 00:13:38,384 --> 00:13:42,088 adventurous tourists is unknown. 230 00:13:42,088 --> 00:13:45,591 It's almost certain this volcano will erupt again. 231 00:13:45,591 --> 00:13:48,861 When it does, nature will take back the sulfur banks, 232 00:13:48,861 --> 00:13:52,498 and with it its blue flames. 233 00:13:58,371 --> 00:14:01,040 But for now, Tom has his visual record 234 00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:03,109 of this special event in nature 235 00:14:03,109 --> 00:14:05,545 and the people who braved these dangerous conditions 236 00:14:05,545 --> 00:14:10,349 to eke out an existence so they can feed their families. 237 00:14:10,349 --> 00:14:15,121 Each and every volcano is unique to photograph. 238 00:14:16,656 --> 00:14:20,193 Tom's favorite eruptions are Strombolian. 239 00:14:20,193 --> 00:14:24,664 These are small in scale and occur at regular intervals. 240 00:14:24,664 --> 00:14:26,766 They shoot glowing rocks everywhere 241 00:14:26,766 --> 00:14:30,603 and make for dramatic photos. 242 00:14:30,603 --> 00:14:32,638 Raung volcano next to Ijen 243 00:14:32,638 --> 00:14:34,574 is known for Strombolian eruptions 244 00:14:34,574 --> 00:14:37,410 of varying intensities. 245 00:14:37,410 --> 00:14:39,378 But unfortunately the volcano's crater 246 00:14:39,378 --> 00:14:43,182 is almost inaccessible. 247 00:14:43,182 --> 00:14:45,818 The active vent is on the top of a high mountain, 248 00:14:45,818 --> 00:14:48,387 inside a deep crater. 249 00:14:48,387 --> 00:14:50,490 Andi volunteers to go up on his own 250 00:14:50,490 --> 00:14:55,228 to assess its potential for Tom. 251 00:14:55,228 --> 00:15:00,166 [Distant explosions] 252 00:15:00,166 --> 00:15:04,170 [Distant explosions] 253 00:15:04,170 --> 00:15:06,205 Small Strombolian eruptions are occurring 254 00:15:06,205 --> 00:15:09,041 out of several vents. 255 00:15:12,211 --> 00:15:15,148 [Explosion] 256 00:15:18,050 --> 00:15:21,187 [Explosion] 257 00:15:22,455 --> 00:15:25,792 During the day, these eruptions look benign in nature. 258 00:15:25,792 --> 00:15:29,095 But as the sun sets, they come alive. 259 00:15:29,095 --> 00:15:34,100 [Explosions] 260 00:15:34,100 --> 00:15:39,105 [Explosions] 261 00:15:39,105 --> 00:15:44,110 [Explosions] 262 00:15:44,110 --> 00:15:49,048 [Explosions] 263 00:15:56,155 --> 00:15:57,757 ANDI: Yes... 264 00:15:57,757 --> 00:16:02,695 [Rumbling] 265 00:16:02,695 --> 00:16:07,700 [Rumbling] 266 00:16:07,700 --> 00:16:12,705 ♪♪♪ 267 00:16:12,705 --> 00:16:16,642 [Explosion] 268 00:16:16,642 --> 00:16:19,145 ANDI: So down there there is eruptions 269 00:16:19,145 --> 00:16:21,047 and explosion bursts. 270 00:16:21,047 --> 00:16:24,083 And I'm now on the rim of the crater, 271 00:16:24,083 --> 00:16:28,521 and there is inflation of the lava dome there 272 00:16:28,521 --> 00:16:31,224 with continual Strombolian eruptions. 273 00:16:31,224 --> 00:16:33,059 You gotta see this. 274 00:16:33,059 --> 00:16:35,628 It's very, uh, difficult to be here. 275 00:16:35,628 --> 00:16:37,697 But it's worth it. It's amazing. 276 00:16:37,697 --> 00:16:40,466 Spectacular eruptions all the time. 277 00:16:40,466 --> 00:16:43,135 Rumbling, and then very loudly. 278 00:16:43,135 --> 00:16:44,570 You can see that. 279 00:16:49,742 --> 00:16:51,477 [Explosion] 280 00:16:51,477 --> 00:16:54,480 ANDI: So again! 281 00:17:12,431 --> 00:17:15,101 NARRATOR: On a volcano like this you quickly begin 282 00:17:15,101 --> 00:17:17,703 to notice patterns, allowing so it's possible 283 00:17:17,703 --> 00:17:20,740 to anticipate the next eruption. 284 00:17:20,740 --> 00:17:25,678 ANDI: It's going to peak, I think. 285 00:17:25,678 --> 00:17:28,114 Yes. 286 00:17:28,114 --> 00:17:34,086 [Loud explosion] 287 00:17:34,086 --> 00:17:37,290 NARRATOR: The eruptions are spectacular and constant. 288 00:17:37,290 --> 00:17:41,460 But there's no way of getting close enough to the crater. 289 00:17:41,460 --> 00:17:44,096 Andi has another volcano in mind for Tom 290 00:17:44,096 --> 00:17:47,333 to get his shots of a Strombolian eruption. 291 00:17:47,333 --> 00:17:49,669 It too is difficult to access, 292 00:17:49,669 --> 00:17:53,639 but it's known to produce some powerful explosions. 293 00:17:55,508 --> 00:17:59,345 Batu Tara is a small volcano on the island of Komba, 294 00:17:59,345 --> 00:18:02,515 three hours out to sea off the Island of Flores. 295 00:18:02,515 --> 00:18:06,419 Its name means 'burning stone.' 296 00:18:06,419 --> 00:18:08,487 It's an hour-long flight away, 297 00:18:08,487 --> 00:18:12,525 passing over some of Indonesia's most famous volcanoes. 298 00:18:12,525 --> 00:18:16,128 Below is Tambora, responsible for the largest eruption 299 00:18:16,128 --> 00:18:18,164 in historic times, 300 00:18:18,164 --> 00:18:21,534 much bigger than the volcano that wiped out Pompeii. 301 00:18:21,534 --> 00:18:24,370 The volcano erupted in 1815, 302 00:18:24,370 --> 00:18:26,772 killing more than 70,000 people, 303 00:18:26,772 --> 00:18:29,408 and led to a volcanic winter. 304 00:18:29,408 --> 00:18:32,478 Decreased global temperatures led to widespread crop failure 305 00:18:32,478 --> 00:18:34,413 in the northern hemisphere. 306 00:18:34,413 --> 00:18:39,719 It caused the worst famine in the 19th century. 307 00:18:39,719 --> 00:18:41,554 Tom is with his small group 308 00:18:41,554 --> 00:18:44,190 of experienced volcano photographers. 309 00:18:44,190 --> 00:18:46,525 They've arrived in Larantuka, a fishing village 310 00:18:46,525 --> 00:18:49,095 on the eastern edge of Flores Island, 311 00:18:49,095 --> 00:18:52,565 their starting point for Batu Tara. 312 00:18:59,171 --> 00:19:01,540 [Indistinct conversation] 313 00:19:01,540 --> 00:19:03,409 NARRATOR: There are no planes or scheduled boats 314 00:19:03,409 --> 00:19:05,611 to this uninhabited island. 315 00:19:05,611 --> 00:19:07,747 The plan is to camp for several days 316 00:19:07,747 --> 00:19:10,516 on a small bit of rock beach directly adjacent 317 00:19:10,516 --> 00:19:12,585 to the active crater. 318 00:19:12,585 --> 00:19:16,155 That is, if it's not too dangerous. 319 00:19:16,155 --> 00:19:19,525 They've negotiated a lift from local fishermen. 320 00:19:21,460 --> 00:19:23,262 ANDI: So this is our boat, yeah? 321 00:19:23,262 --> 00:19:25,631 So you can photograph or, you know, documentation 322 00:19:25,631 --> 00:19:28,367 for ten minutes around the activity of the... 323 00:19:28,367 --> 00:19:30,169 It is fishing helper. [Inaudible] 324 00:19:30,169 --> 00:19:32,138 TOM: Yeah, that's our boat. 325 00:19:32,138 --> 00:19:36,642 It's quite spacious. 326 00:19:36,642 --> 00:19:39,111 This is one of the typical traditional boats 327 00:19:39,111 --> 00:19:41,247 that go out for several days in a row 328 00:19:41,247 --> 00:19:43,249 and go especially for tuna fishing 329 00:19:43,249 --> 00:19:45,818 out in the seas of the Flores Sea. 330 00:19:45,818 --> 00:19:49,221 They bring us to Batu Tara. 331 00:19:49,221 --> 00:19:51,123 They'll be around the island; 332 00:19:51,123 --> 00:19:54,794 hopefully won't disappear when they see tuna swarms, 333 00:19:54,794 --> 00:19:58,097 but come regularly, pass by, 334 00:19:58,097 --> 00:20:00,433 hopefully maybe give us some fresh fish. 335 00:20:04,070 --> 00:20:05,838 NARRATOR: To Andi's knowledge only two groups 336 00:20:05,838 --> 00:20:07,740 have stayed on Batu Tara, 337 00:20:07,740 --> 00:20:10,209 and both groups faced difficult seas, 338 00:20:10,209 --> 00:20:14,313 and their camps were pounded by waves. 339 00:20:14,313 --> 00:20:18,250 Today the seas are calm except for the strong currents 340 00:20:18,250 --> 00:20:21,253 that flow between the islands as water passes 341 00:20:21,253 --> 00:20:24,390 from Flores Sea into the Indian Ocean. 342 00:20:24,390 --> 00:20:28,360 TOM: Look at the wild water here. 343 00:20:28,360 --> 00:20:30,663 The water is absolutely calm, there is no wind, 344 00:20:30,663 --> 00:20:34,733 but the currents create such turbulence 345 00:20:34,733 --> 00:20:39,338 that it's definitely not a place you want to go swimming. 346 00:20:40,506 --> 00:20:44,143 NARRATOR: The trip to Batu Tara is lined with volcanoes. 347 00:20:46,512 --> 00:20:49,381 And they are evidence of how Indonesia was formed, 348 00:20:49,381 --> 00:20:53,586 and why its volcanoes are so active. 349 00:20:53,586 --> 00:20:56,889 The Earth's crust is divided up into massive plates, 350 00:20:56,889 --> 00:21:01,227 that move at the rate that fingernails grow. 351 00:21:01,227 --> 00:21:04,130 When two plates collide, the denser slab sinks down 352 00:21:04,130 --> 00:21:05,631 into the mantle below. 353 00:21:05,631 --> 00:21:09,101 This takes place in a subduction zone. 354 00:21:11,237 --> 00:21:15,274 Oceanic plates are generally older, colder and denser, 355 00:21:15,274 --> 00:21:17,109 and covered with layers of sediment 356 00:21:17,109 --> 00:21:19,411 that accumulated on the sea floor. 357 00:21:19,411 --> 00:21:21,814 Water sucked down in the subduction zone 358 00:21:21,814 --> 00:21:23,749 boils back to the surface and helps to melt 359 00:21:23,749 --> 00:21:26,118 the overlying rock. 360 00:21:26,118 --> 00:21:28,354 The resulting magma then rises to the surface 361 00:21:28,354 --> 00:21:31,123 in volcanic eruptions. 362 00:21:33,425 --> 00:21:36,462 Underneath Indonesia, the Indo-Australian plate 363 00:21:36,462 --> 00:21:38,497 is subducting under the Eurasian plate 364 00:21:38,497 --> 00:21:41,267 at a very steep angle. 365 00:21:41,267 --> 00:21:46,438 The result is a country-wide chain of volcanos. 366 00:21:50,643 --> 00:21:53,179 The process takes millions of years, 367 00:21:53,179 --> 00:21:55,581 and Indonesia's many active volcanoes 368 00:21:55,581 --> 00:22:00,553 are proof it is happening right now. 369 00:22:00,553 --> 00:22:03,689 Back on the boat, Tom, Andi, and their group 370 00:22:03,689 --> 00:22:07,293 have had calm seas and a relaxed trip. 371 00:22:07,293 --> 00:22:09,728 The group of five photographers have travelled 372 00:22:09,728 --> 00:22:13,632 with Tom on several of his expeditions before. 373 00:22:13,632 --> 00:22:15,768 The rest of the passengers are boat crew 374 00:22:15,768 --> 00:22:20,239 and three hired hands to run the camp. 375 00:22:20,239 --> 00:22:22,675 Their plan is to set up a camp on the island 376 00:22:22,675 --> 00:22:27,079 and spend four or five days observing the volcano. 377 00:22:27,079 --> 00:22:31,650 And Tom is hoping to get the perfect shot for his book. 378 00:22:31,650 --> 00:22:33,686 But nothing is certain. 379 00:22:33,686 --> 00:22:35,454 They won't know whether they'll be able to land 380 00:22:35,454 --> 00:22:38,490 until they get there. 381 00:22:40,125 --> 00:22:43,596 ANDI: So now we are preparing the boat to get to land. 382 00:22:43,596 --> 00:22:48,300 So this is the only way for us to land at Batu Tara. 383 00:22:49,602 --> 00:22:52,805 NARRATOR: Batu Tara is an extremely active volcano 384 00:22:52,805 --> 00:22:55,841 that produces Strombolian type eruptions. 385 00:22:55,841 --> 00:22:58,143 These can throw boulders called bombs 386 00:22:58,143 --> 00:23:00,512 more than 20 football fields. 387 00:23:00,512 --> 00:23:02,781 Their camp is going to be less then half that distance 388 00:23:02,781 --> 00:23:06,352 from the crater. 389 00:23:06,819 --> 00:23:08,354 TOM: The initial blast was, in this case, 390 00:23:08,354 --> 00:23:09,688 was a stronger one. 391 00:23:09,688 --> 00:23:14,393 You could see pieces of lava being ejected, 392 00:23:14,393 --> 00:23:16,428 landing on the upper part of the slope, 393 00:23:16,428 --> 00:23:18,430 probably on the walls and tumbling down. 394 00:23:18,430 --> 00:23:20,065 It's beautiful. 395 00:23:20,065 --> 00:23:21,600 Now you understand why it's called 396 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:24,536 "the slide of fire." 397 00:23:24,536 --> 00:23:27,273 Well, you'll understand it even better at night 398 00:23:27,273 --> 00:23:30,609 when these bombs we see now flying are glowing, 399 00:23:30,609 --> 00:23:32,344 which is a fantastic sight. 400 00:23:37,182 --> 00:23:40,352 [Distant explosion] 401 00:23:43,155 --> 00:23:45,291 NARRATOR: Today the eruptions aren't throwing bombs 402 00:23:45,291 --> 00:23:47,726 in the direction of the campsite. 403 00:23:47,726 --> 00:23:50,195 So for now it's safe to unload their equipment 404 00:23:50,195 --> 00:23:52,731 and set up camp. 405 00:23:57,303 --> 00:24:01,073 TOM: We've arrived at our landing beach. 406 00:24:01,073 --> 00:24:03,442 We'll build up camp right here. 407 00:24:03,442 --> 00:24:07,680 It's just enough space for a kitchen, 408 00:24:07,680 --> 00:24:12,584 a tarp and mattresses for everybody. 409 00:24:12,584 --> 00:24:15,821 The big advantage of course is we have a full view 410 00:24:15,821 --> 00:24:17,623 of the erupting crater. 411 00:24:17,623 --> 00:24:21,126 And you see it's very, very busy. 412 00:24:21,126 --> 00:24:23,662 Since we've arrived half an hour ago 413 00:24:23,662 --> 00:24:27,232 it has at least done five or six explosions. 414 00:24:27,232 --> 00:24:29,768 I'm really looking forward to seeing this at night, 415 00:24:29,768 --> 00:24:33,205 especially it should be fantastic firework. 416 00:24:34,673 --> 00:24:37,476 NARRATOR: The crew on the boat won't stay. 417 00:24:37,476 --> 00:24:39,378 They will head out to fish overnight 418 00:24:39,378 --> 00:24:41,647 and return each morning to check on the camp 419 00:24:41,647 --> 00:24:45,517 and make sure that all is okay. 420 00:24:45,517 --> 00:24:47,786 For these fishermen the expedition here 421 00:24:47,786 --> 00:24:51,123 is a good opportunity to supplement their pay. 422 00:24:51,123 --> 00:24:52,491 It will be another month or so 423 00:24:52,491 --> 00:24:57,129 until the tuna season starts. 424 00:24:59,465 --> 00:25:02,534 First order of business is to get the camp sorted. 425 00:25:02,534 --> 00:25:08,040 Meals need to be cooked and cameras set up. 426 00:25:11,410 --> 00:25:13,779 They've brought enough supplies for a week. 427 00:25:13,779 --> 00:25:16,615 The weather this time of year in Indonesia is hot, 428 00:25:16,615 --> 00:25:18,317 so they've opted for traditional ways 429 00:25:18,317 --> 00:25:21,787 to keep food fresh. 430 00:25:21,787 --> 00:25:26,458 The chickens don't seem to mind the explosions. 431 00:25:35,334 --> 00:25:38,804 As the eruptions continue they change in intensity, 432 00:25:38,804 --> 00:25:41,473 to gauge their safety, Tom scours the beach 433 00:25:41,473 --> 00:25:44,143 looking for evidence of bombs. 434 00:25:44,143 --> 00:25:45,477 These are rocks that are thrown out 435 00:25:45,477 --> 00:25:47,646 during volcanic eruptions. 436 00:25:47,646 --> 00:25:49,715 They range in size, from pebbles 437 00:25:49,715 --> 00:25:53,118 to boulders the size of a mini bus. 438 00:25:53,118 --> 00:25:54,787 TOM: Look where we are now. 439 00:25:54,787 --> 00:25:58,791 On the beach 50 meters behind our campsite, 440 00:25:58,791 --> 00:26:00,559 but look what we found here. 441 00:26:00,559 --> 00:26:05,798 A shattered but very fresh bomb that was ejected here, 442 00:26:05,798 --> 00:26:10,636 and I wouldn't have wanted to be here when this landed. 443 00:26:10,636 --> 00:26:13,539 There's no way you could survive an impact like this. 444 00:26:13,539 --> 00:26:17,075 Or maybe if you were lucky and it just rips an arm off, 445 00:26:17,075 --> 00:26:19,711 but probably it would just smash you in two. 446 00:26:19,711 --> 00:26:23,148 When this impacts typically you have pieces flying off 447 00:26:23,148 --> 00:26:26,685 in all directions, so also you could easily be killed 448 00:26:26,685 --> 00:26:30,355 or seriously hurt by any fragment that splintered. 449 00:26:30,355 --> 00:26:33,125 It just breaks off at impact. 450 00:26:33,125 --> 00:26:36,628 [Explosion] 451 00:26:39,064 --> 00:26:41,533 NARRATOR: A more powerful eruption sends bombs high up 452 00:26:41,533 --> 00:26:45,337 into the air. 453 00:26:45,337 --> 00:26:47,773 They are high enough to clear the old crater rim, 454 00:26:47,773 --> 00:26:50,275 landing about half the distance between the group 455 00:26:50,275 --> 00:26:55,214 and the crater, a comfortable margin. 456 00:26:55,214 --> 00:27:00,152 [Crackling sounds] 457 00:27:00,152 --> 00:27:05,157 [Crackling sounds] 458 00:27:05,157 --> 00:27:07,059 [Crackling sounds] 459 00:27:07,059 --> 00:27:10,362 TOM: Bombs, or in this case, volcanic bombs, 460 00:27:10,362 --> 00:27:13,432 are larger pieces of lava that are being ejected 461 00:27:13,432 --> 00:27:15,801 by explosive activity. 462 00:27:15,801 --> 00:27:21,139 Per definition, anything whose diameter is larger 463 00:27:21,139 --> 00:27:24,343 than 64 millimeters, that means about like this, 464 00:27:24,343 --> 00:27:26,111 would be classified as bombs, 465 00:27:26,111 --> 00:27:29,281 whereas anything below that but larger than 466 00:27:29,281 --> 00:27:32,417 two millimeters across is called lapillis. 467 00:27:32,417 --> 00:27:34,453 Visually the most interesting, 468 00:27:34,453 --> 00:27:37,322 the most beautiful to see are the bombs. 469 00:27:37,322 --> 00:27:43,762 They form glowing balls that travel through the air 470 00:27:43,762 --> 00:27:47,232 follow parabolas, and reach various distances, 471 00:27:47,232 --> 00:27:50,702 impact on the cliffs on the slope. 472 00:27:50,702 --> 00:27:55,240 With large explosions they can even reach the seashore. 473 00:27:55,240 --> 00:27:57,276 With exceptionally large explosions 474 00:27:57,276 --> 00:27:59,144 they might even reach this area, 475 00:27:59,144 --> 00:28:02,648 so we are not out of the reach of potential bombs. 476 00:28:02,648 --> 00:28:08,120 But it seems that the very big explosions 477 00:28:08,120 --> 00:28:13,158 that propel bombs up to our position are extremely rare. 478 00:28:13,158 --> 00:28:17,162 ♪♪♪ 479 00:28:17,162 --> 00:28:22,167 ♪♪♪ 480 00:28:22,167 --> 00:28:27,172 ♪♪♪ 481 00:28:27,172 --> 00:28:32,177 ♪♪♪ 482 00:28:32,177 --> 00:28:37,182 ♪♪♪ 483 00:28:37,182 --> 00:28:42,187 ♪♪♪ 484 00:28:42,187 --> 00:28:45,657 ♪♪♪ 485 00:28:45,657 --> 00:28:47,626 NARRATOR: But even before the sun sets, 486 00:28:47,626 --> 00:28:51,163 the incandescence of the molten rocks appear. 487 00:28:51,163 --> 00:28:56,335 It's an exciting precursor for what is about to come. 488 00:28:56,335 --> 00:29:01,273 ♪♪♪ 489 00:29:01,273 --> 00:29:06,278 ♪♪♪ 490 00:29:06,278 --> 00:29:10,115 ♪♪♪ 491 00:29:10,115 --> 00:29:14,853 [Explosion] 492 00:29:18,724 --> 00:29:23,729 [Rumbling] 493 00:29:23,729 --> 00:29:28,400 [Rumbling] 494 00:29:28,400 --> 00:29:31,670 NARRATOR: The first eruption is a big one. 495 00:29:31,670 --> 00:29:34,506 It showers the entire upper region of the volcano 496 00:29:34,506 --> 00:29:37,442 in incandescent glowing material. 497 00:29:37,442 --> 00:29:42,481 [Explosion] 498 00:29:42,481 --> 00:29:47,486 [Rumbling and hissing] 499 00:29:47,486 --> 00:29:52,491 [Rumbling and hissing] 500 00:29:52,491 --> 00:29:57,496 [Rumbling and hissing] 501 00:29:57,496 --> 00:30:02,501 [Rumbling and hissing] 502 00:30:02,501 --> 00:30:06,238 [Rumbling and hissing] 503 00:30:09,708 --> 00:30:11,543 [Crashing] 504 00:30:11,543 --> 00:30:13,545 NARRATOR: Lightning flashes as the ash column 505 00:30:13,545 --> 00:30:18,450 generates a massive charge of static electricity. 506 00:30:19,518 --> 00:30:23,789 TOM: We've just seen two very, very large explosions. 507 00:30:23,789 --> 00:30:26,558 The last one was probably the biggest one 508 00:30:26,558 --> 00:30:29,227 I've seen so far on this volcano. 509 00:30:29,227 --> 00:30:32,297 An ensemble of blocks of all sizes are ejected, 510 00:30:32,297 --> 00:30:35,367 which typically lands on the upper parts 511 00:30:35,367 --> 00:30:36,868 near the crater on the slope, 512 00:30:36,868 --> 00:30:39,204 and then start tumbling down. 513 00:30:39,204 --> 00:30:42,474 And one by one they add up, building this scree slope 514 00:30:42,474 --> 00:30:44,142 called a sciara. 515 00:30:44,142 --> 00:30:47,112 Sciara comes from the island of Stromboli, 516 00:30:47,112 --> 00:30:49,281 which is similar in activity. 517 00:30:49,281 --> 00:30:51,483 It has a similar depression which is called 518 00:30:51,483 --> 00:30:53,652 the "Sciara del fuoco," the "Slide of Fire," 519 00:30:53,652 --> 00:30:57,355 translated from Italian. 520 00:31:01,526 --> 00:31:06,398 [Explosion] 521 00:31:10,736 --> 00:31:15,741 [Crackling] 522 00:31:15,741 --> 00:31:20,746 [Crackling] 523 00:31:20,746 --> 00:31:25,751 [Crackling] 524 00:31:25,751 --> 00:31:30,756 [Crackling] 525 00:31:30,756 --> 00:31:35,761 [Crackling] 526 00:31:35,761 --> 00:31:38,630 [Crackling] 527 00:31:38,630 --> 00:31:41,733 [Explosion] 528 00:31:41,733 --> 00:31:43,835 NARRATOR: After several powerful eruptions, 529 00:31:43,835 --> 00:31:47,439 things quiet down for the rest of the night. 530 00:31:47,439 --> 00:31:51,209 Even Tom is caught off guard by the size of the eruption. 531 00:31:53,578 --> 00:31:55,881 The bombs literally appear to be flung 532 00:31:55,881 --> 00:32:00,418 as high as the Empire State Building. 533 00:32:01,720 --> 00:32:04,623 TOM: A second after the explosion, a huge detonation reached us. 534 00:32:04,623 --> 00:32:07,125 The eruption triggered a small earthquake 535 00:32:07,125 --> 00:32:12,063 and some rocks fell here from the cliff. 536 00:32:13,832 --> 00:32:19,805 It was very, very impressive, if not even a bit scary. 537 00:32:19,805 --> 00:32:23,708 If explosions become much bigger than that, 538 00:32:23,708 --> 00:32:27,779 we should be thinking about evacuating the place. 539 00:32:34,553 --> 00:32:36,855 NARRATOR: Fortunately the volcano remains quiet 540 00:32:36,855 --> 00:32:38,523 for the rest of the night. 541 00:32:38,523 --> 00:32:40,258 Which is a good thing. 542 00:32:40,258 --> 00:32:42,294 it's hard to sleep on a tiny island 543 00:32:42,294 --> 00:32:46,798 that explodes every 15 minutes. 544 00:32:49,568 --> 00:32:52,204 Out at sea, it's a good day for the fishermen. 545 00:32:52,204 --> 00:32:55,473 They've come across a school of tuna. 546 00:32:59,244 --> 00:33:04,282 [Indistinct voices] 547 00:33:04,282 --> 00:33:06,751 [Indistinct voices] 548 00:33:06,751 --> 00:33:12,490 NARRATOR: The boat returns, unaware of the eventful night. 549 00:33:15,727 --> 00:33:19,130 Before too long, nature's alarm clock goes off, 550 00:33:19,130 --> 00:33:21,099 Batu Tara style. 551 00:33:21,099 --> 00:33:26,104 [Explosion] 552 00:33:26,104 --> 00:33:31,109 ♪♪♪ 553 00:33:31,109 --> 00:33:36,114 ♪♪♪ 554 00:33:36,114 --> 00:33:41,119 ♪♪♪ 555 00:33:41,119 --> 00:33:45,790 ♪♪♪ 556 00:33:45,790 --> 00:33:51,329 [Rumbling] 557 00:33:51,329 --> 00:33:53,365 NARRATOR: The group sets up sunshades. 558 00:33:53,365 --> 00:33:58,803 It's going to be a hot day. 559 00:33:58,803 --> 00:34:03,742 ♪♪♪ 560 00:34:03,742 --> 00:34:08,747 ♪♪♪ 561 00:34:08,747 --> 00:34:13,752 ♪♪♪ 562 00:34:13,752 --> 00:34:15,754 ♪♪♪ 563 00:34:15,754 --> 00:34:22,127 [Explosions] 564 00:34:22,127 --> 00:34:24,763 NARRATOR: But then Batu Tara erupts big. 565 00:34:24,763 --> 00:34:28,300 [Explosions] 566 00:34:28,300 --> 00:34:30,502 As rocks begin to roll down the slope 567 00:34:30,502 --> 00:34:33,571 and crash into the water, the captain decides 568 00:34:33,571 --> 00:34:37,375 it's time to pull anchor and get out of there. 569 00:34:39,411 --> 00:34:41,379 The real danger with these volcanoes 570 00:34:41,379 --> 00:34:44,516 is that a slight increase by 10% could mean 571 00:34:44,516 --> 00:34:47,419 the difference between rocks hitting the slope 572 00:34:47,419 --> 00:34:51,156 and those hitting the beach or landing in the water. 573 00:35:06,237 --> 00:35:08,773 The boat retreats further down the beach to set up 574 00:35:08,773 --> 00:35:13,345 and catch fish for the day's meals. 575 00:35:16,281 --> 00:35:19,150 The daytime eruptions appears less frightening, 576 00:35:19,150 --> 00:35:22,253 so the routine continues. 577 00:35:37,302 --> 00:35:40,672 [Explosion] 578 00:35:40,672 --> 00:35:45,677 ♪♪♪ 579 00:35:45,677 --> 00:35:50,682 ♪♪♪ 580 00:35:50,682 --> 00:35:57,689 ♪♪♪ 581 00:35:57,689 --> 00:36:01,092 [Explosion] 582 00:36:02,794 --> 00:36:05,330 NARRATOR: The frequency of eruptions provides the chance 583 00:36:05,330 --> 00:36:07,465 to see in detail what's going on 584 00:36:07,465 --> 00:36:10,168 during the Strombolian eruptions. 585 00:36:10,168 --> 00:36:13,338 Deep inside the volcano, magma is rising 586 00:36:13,338 --> 00:36:16,374 through a conduit at a slow rate. 587 00:36:16,374 --> 00:36:19,611 Gases that are dissolved in the magma begin to escape 588 00:36:19,611 --> 00:36:23,681 and form bubbles as they near the surface. 589 00:36:23,681 --> 00:36:26,284 Unlike Ijen, where they constantly vent 590 00:36:26,284 --> 00:36:30,422 reducing pressure, here the gasses are trapped. 591 00:36:30,422 --> 00:36:33,291 TOM: Above the magma cone there is a thin crust 592 00:36:33,291 --> 00:36:35,060 which maintains. 593 00:36:35,060 --> 00:36:38,363 So under this plug, gas bubbles continue to form, 594 00:36:38,363 --> 00:36:42,133 to expand, and to become more and more pressurized 595 00:36:42,133 --> 00:36:44,769 until the pressure of the gases in the upper part 596 00:36:44,769 --> 00:36:46,738 of the conduit, in the magma column, 597 00:36:46,738 --> 00:36:49,274 is large enough to eject the plug. 598 00:36:49,274 --> 00:36:50,775 NARRATOR: A split-second later... 599 00:36:50,775 --> 00:36:52,777 [Explosion] 600 00:36:52,777 --> 00:36:54,779 NARRATOR: ...the lava plug gives. 601 00:36:54,779 --> 00:36:57,115 A small jet of ash shoots out, 602 00:36:57,115 --> 00:36:59,250 followed by a sudden release of pressure. 603 00:37:06,091 --> 00:37:08,526 Gas which was in a liquid state because of the pressure 604 00:37:08,526 --> 00:37:12,564 suddenly expands to 1,200 times its volume, 605 00:37:12,564 --> 00:37:16,768 just like a shaken champagne bottle that pops its cork. 606 00:37:16,768 --> 00:37:20,205 This instantly fragments the remaining cap. 607 00:37:20,205 --> 00:37:23,074 The rock is pulverized into tephra, 608 00:37:23,074 --> 00:37:27,645 which is small pieces of rock, mixed with fine grain ash. 609 00:37:27,645 --> 00:37:32,250 [Explosion] 610 00:37:50,635 --> 00:37:54,272 After the initial eruption, the conduit becomes open. 611 00:37:54,272 --> 00:37:58,276 More jets of ash and lava are blasted out. 612 00:37:58,276 --> 00:38:03,214 [Explosions] 613 00:38:03,214 --> 00:38:08,219 [Explosions] 614 00:38:08,219 --> 00:38:13,224 [Explosions] 615 00:38:13,224 --> 00:38:18,229 [Explosions] 616 00:38:18,229 --> 00:38:19,597 [Explosions] 617 00:38:19,597 --> 00:38:21,633 NARRATOR: Contrary to popular belief, 618 00:38:21,633 --> 00:38:25,103 volcanoes do not emit columns of smoke. 619 00:38:25,103 --> 00:38:28,273 This material is made up entirely of rock and gas 620 00:38:28,273 --> 00:38:32,243 mixed with some steam from vaporized ground water. 621 00:38:32,243 --> 00:38:36,181 [Explosion] 622 00:38:39,417 --> 00:38:41,553 NARRATOR: The material falls back into the crater, 623 00:38:41,553 --> 00:38:45,423 plugging it again, and the process starts over. 624 00:38:52,263 --> 00:38:55,533 Because Strombolian eruptions don't damage the magma conduit 625 00:38:55,533 --> 00:38:58,736 inside the volcano, these eruptions can continue 626 00:38:58,736 --> 00:39:03,041 for decades, sometimes even for thousands of years. 627 00:39:20,391 --> 00:39:25,396 [Explosion] 628 00:39:25,396 --> 00:39:30,335 [Explosion] 629 00:39:44,616 --> 00:39:46,384 TOM: This plug is not very, very strong, 630 00:39:46,384 --> 00:39:49,787 so it doesn't take a lot of time 631 00:39:49,787 --> 00:39:51,623 for new gas bubbles to form 632 00:39:51,623 --> 00:39:55,426 and become strong enough to destroy the new plug. 633 00:39:57,128 --> 00:39:59,597 NARRATOR: After a day of nearly constant eruptions, 634 00:39:59,597 --> 00:40:03,268 the group does not know what to expect for the night. 635 00:40:03,268 --> 00:40:05,603 Tom's experience with Strombolian eruptions 636 00:40:05,603 --> 00:40:08,539 tells him it can go either way. 637 00:40:08,539 --> 00:40:11,142 Volcanoes often enter into quiet periods 638 00:40:11,142 --> 00:40:13,111 after an intensive phase 639 00:40:13,111 --> 00:40:16,214 while they recharge their magma supply. 640 00:40:16,214 --> 00:40:18,516 The problem here is Tom doesn't know how long 641 00:40:18,516 --> 00:40:21,252 this volcano's cycles last. 642 00:40:21,252 --> 00:40:25,623 It should make for an interesting evening. 643 00:40:25,623 --> 00:40:30,628 ♪♪♪ 644 00:40:30,628 --> 00:40:35,633 ♪♪♪ 645 00:40:35,633 --> 00:40:40,638 ♪♪♪ 646 00:40:40,638 --> 00:40:41,506 ♪♪♪ 647 00:40:41,506 --> 00:40:46,511 [Explosion] 648 00:40:46,511 --> 00:40:51,516 [Rumbling] 649 00:40:51,516 --> 00:40:56,287 ♪♪♪ 650 00:40:56,287 --> 00:41:01,225 ♪♪♪ 651 00:41:01,225 --> 00:41:06,230 ♪♪♪ 652 00:41:06,230 --> 00:41:10,068 ♪♪♪ 653 00:41:10,068 --> 00:41:13,338 NARRATOR: Tonight the eruptions are building in intensity. 654 00:41:13,338 --> 00:41:16,207 It will be a long night. 655 00:41:16,207 --> 00:41:20,678 Then, at 2:30 in the morning, there is a monster eruption. 656 00:41:20,678 --> 00:41:26,484 [Loud explosion] 657 00:41:31,756 --> 00:41:36,627 [Rumbling] 658 00:41:46,504 --> 00:41:51,509 ♪♪♪ 659 00:41:51,509 --> 00:41:56,514 ♪♪♪ 660 00:41:56,514 --> 00:42:01,452 ♪♪♪ 661 00:42:01,452 --> 00:42:06,457 ♪♪♪ 662 00:42:06,457 --> 00:42:10,328 ♪♪♪ 663 00:42:10,328 --> 00:42:13,531 NARRATOR: The entire cone is showered in glowing bombs 664 00:42:13,531 --> 00:42:15,466 and the eruption even propelled them down 665 00:42:15,466 --> 00:42:18,469 the other side of the cone. 666 00:42:18,469 --> 00:42:23,474 ♪♪♪ 667 00:42:23,474 --> 00:42:28,479 ♪♪♪ 668 00:42:28,479 --> 00:42:30,348 ♪♪♪ 669 00:42:30,348 --> 00:42:32,617 NARRATOR: The scale of eruption is concerning. 670 00:42:32,617 --> 00:42:34,185 There is no way off the island 671 00:42:34,185 --> 00:42:37,221 till the boat returns in the morning. 672 00:42:37,221 --> 00:42:42,160 ♪♪♪ 673 00:42:42,160 --> 00:42:44,495 ♪♪♪ 674 00:42:44,495 --> 00:42:53,304 [Explosion] 675 00:42:53,304 --> 00:42:55,473 NARRATOR: For the next two hours, the volcano enters 676 00:42:55,473 --> 00:42:57,442 a period of calm. 677 00:42:57,442 --> 00:42:59,610 Only a few small eruptions occur, 678 00:42:59,610 --> 00:43:03,681 followed by a continuous glow in the crater. 679 00:43:03,681 --> 00:43:08,386 The lull gives members of the group a chance to sleep. 680 00:43:12,190 --> 00:43:15,393 NARRATOR: At about 3 am, they are awoken again 681 00:43:15,393 --> 00:43:17,595 by an even more powerful eruption. 682 00:43:17,595 --> 00:43:22,600 [Explosion] 683 00:43:22,600 --> 00:43:26,604 [Rumbling] 684 00:43:26,604 --> 00:43:31,609 [Rumbling] 685 00:43:31,609 --> 00:43:35,780 [Rumbling] 686 00:43:35,780 --> 00:43:39,083 NARRATOR: This large eruption sent bombs flying into the water. 687 00:43:39,083 --> 00:43:43,521 Although not near the beach, it is enough of a warning. 688 00:43:45,656 --> 00:43:48,192 NARRATOR: But with no way off the island until the boat returns 689 00:43:48,192 --> 00:43:51,229 in the morning, all they can do is watch 690 00:43:51,229 --> 00:43:54,732 and hope the eruptions calm down. 691 00:43:54,732 --> 00:43:59,737 [Rumbling and hissing] 692 00:43:59,737 --> 00:44:04,675 [Rumbling and hissing] 693 00:44:04,675 --> 00:44:08,513 [Rumbling and hissing] 694 00:44:08,513 --> 00:44:15,186 TOM: We just had a quite large explosion 695 00:44:15,186 --> 00:44:17,288 which ejected a lot of material 696 00:44:17,288 --> 00:44:21,759 and along with this material some of the crater itself 697 00:44:21,759 --> 00:44:25,563 apparently broke loose, like now, 698 00:44:25,563 --> 00:44:29,066 and started to slide down, 699 00:44:29,066 --> 00:44:32,270 forming a glowing avalanche, 700 00:44:32,270 --> 00:44:35,339 a minor pyroclastic flow, maybe even. 701 00:44:35,339 --> 00:44:38,175 And even travelled over the sea 702 00:44:38,175 --> 00:44:41,178 for some tens of meters, I guess. 703 00:44:41,178 --> 00:44:44,815 Produced a massive ash and steam plume 704 00:44:44,815 --> 00:44:49,787 that drifted along with the wind this way. 705 00:44:49,787 --> 00:44:53,190 And now the crater morphology has changed. 706 00:44:53,190 --> 00:44:57,428 You see, some of its outer parts have collapsed 707 00:44:57,428 --> 00:45:01,566 and we see the glowing interior of the solid mass of lava. 708 00:45:01,566 --> 00:45:04,035 What we see now are rock falls, 709 00:45:04,035 --> 00:45:07,471 caused by permutation. 710 00:45:07,471 --> 00:45:11,709 There could be a change in eruption style 711 00:45:11,709 --> 00:45:13,411 that we're actually witnessing. 712 00:45:13,411 --> 00:45:19,083 Maybe it's less gas... 713 00:45:19,083 --> 00:45:22,486 or magma that is pouring gas coming up, 714 00:45:22,486 --> 00:45:24,522 which contributes mainly to the growth 715 00:45:24,522 --> 00:45:27,258 of the lava dome 716 00:45:27,258 --> 00:45:30,094 that in turn starts breaking off, 717 00:45:30,094 --> 00:45:34,398 causing these glowing avalanches. 718 00:45:36,767 --> 00:45:41,772 ♪♪♪ 719 00:45:41,772 --> 00:45:46,777 ♪♪♪ 720 00:45:46,777 --> 00:45:52,717 ♪♪♪ 721 00:45:57,555 --> 00:46:00,024 NARRATOR: This was a close call. 722 00:46:00,024 --> 00:46:01,626 It's too dangerous to be this close 723 00:46:01,626 --> 00:46:05,429 to an unknown volcano during such a violent cycle. 724 00:46:05,429 --> 00:46:08,599 The group cannot risk another night on the island. 725 00:46:08,599 --> 00:46:10,801 They start to tear down the camp and get ready 726 00:46:10,801 --> 00:46:12,436 for the boat to return. 727 00:46:12,436 --> 00:46:14,238 TOM: Had an incredible time here. 728 00:46:14,238 --> 00:46:16,707 We've seen the most spectacular fireworks 729 00:46:16,707 --> 00:46:19,043 you can imagine, the bombs smashing on the rocks, 730 00:46:19,043 --> 00:46:23,080 and the glowing lava illuminating the whole slope 731 00:46:23,080 --> 00:46:25,149 and the reflection on the water. 732 00:46:25,149 --> 00:46:28,686 It's incredible. 733 00:46:28,686 --> 00:46:32,089 NARRATOR: As they're packing up, the eruptions return to normal. 734 00:46:32,089 --> 00:46:35,326 For Tom this was an above-average risk, 735 00:46:35,326 --> 00:46:37,495 but one that paid off. 736 00:46:37,495 --> 00:46:39,730 He was able to photograph the spectacular 737 00:46:39,730 --> 00:46:43,768 Strombolian eruptions at close range. 738 00:46:43,768 --> 00:46:46,504 Witnessing a massive surge in eruptions 739 00:46:46,504 --> 00:46:50,474 is something that cannot be predicted. 740 00:46:50,474 --> 00:46:53,711 Batu Tara's explosions this night were so strong 741 00:46:53,711 --> 00:46:56,180 that they blew a section of the cone off, 742 00:46:56,180 --> 00:46:59,784 changing the actual structure of the volcano. 743 00:47:02,386 --> 00:47:05,489 NARRATOR: It's likely this was a natural part of its cycle 744 00:47:05,489 --> 00:47:09,360 that prevents the volcano from becoming too large. 745 00:47:09,360 --> 00:47:11,395 It's a small window into the process 746 00:47:11,395 --> 00:47:16,100 that builds volcanic islands like Batu Tara. 747 00:47:16,100 --> 00:47:19,603 [Explosions] 748 00:47:22,139 --> 00:47:27,144 ♪♪♪ 749 00:47:27,144 --> 00:47:32,149 ♪♪♪ 750 00:47:32,149 --> 00:47:37,154 ♪♪♪ 751 00:47:37,154 --> 00:47:42,159 ♪♪♪ 752 00:47:42,159 --> 00:47:47,164 ♪♪♪ 753 00:47:47,164 --> 00:47:52,169 ♪♪♪ 754 00:47:52,169 --> 00:47:56,507 ♪♪♪