When Earth Erupts

The African Rift is a massive gash that runs through eastern Africa and was likely the birthplace of life on earth. We look at how the geology of these places shaped our past and how .. show full overview

The Himalayas are a major force in the lives of millions. Himalayan sediment streaming south is responsible for landslides that threaten to wipe out villages in Nepal. In Indonesia the sediment is recycled as volcanic ash plumes that menace and kill.

The western Pacific Rim is among the most dangerous places on earth. In New Zealand residents live in fear of earthquakes causing total devastation. In Japan 128 million people prepare .. show full overview

The eastern Pacific Rim is volatile territory. Earthquakes have decimated Anchorage, Alaska and San Francisco, CA, and probably will again in the next 30 years. The Chilean coast has .. show full overview

The edges of the Eurasian plate are volatile places. Iceland rides a river of magma that rises into massive volcanic eruptions, killing thousands. Elsewhere, the Alps formed out of African rock when the African land mass slammed into Eurasia.