Volcanoes: Fires of Creation

Every rock tells a story, so imagine what this one will reveal.

Earth is a planet born of fire, and for billions of years, volcanoes have helped forge the world we know. With over 500 active volcanoes, Earth is bursting at the seams with these forces of mass construction. These large openings in the Earth’s crust have created extraordinary ecosystems, from diverse wildlife habitats to the depths of the ocean. 

Join National Geographic photographer Carsten Peter in going where few would ever dare: dodging boulders at the edge of an active volcano in Indonesia, descending to a lava lake in Vanuatu, and visiting incredible acid ponds in Ethiopia. Travel across the globe to see the archeological ghost town of Pompeii, dive into hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the ocean, and witness the devastating effects of the 2018 Kilauea eruption in Hawaii.