Dara Ó Briain’s scientific curiosity takes him to Italy in “Volcano,” a two-part series exploring the fiery heart of the country. In Part 2, airing this Wednesday on 5, Dara looks into the deadly power of volcanoes, from the devastating pyroclastic flows to the looming threat of supervolcanoes.
Joining volcanologist Dr. Dougal Jerram, Dara gets a crash course in pyroclastic flows, those fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic debris that can obliterate everything in their path. In Naples, the shadow of Mount Vesuvius looms large. Dara explores the history of its infamous eruption in 79 AD, which buried the Roman town of Herculaneum. He meets with Professor Luigi Capasso, whose work studying the skeletal remains of Herculaneum’s residents reveals the speed and violence with which they perished.
But Vesuvius isn’t the only volcanic threat lurking beneath the surface. Dara also visits Campi Flegrei, a supervolcano hiding beneath Naples that poses a risk to half a million people. Dr. Antonio Costa outlines the potential global consequences of an eruption at Campi Flegrei, a scenario that could disrupt the world’s climate. Meanwhile, Dr. Elisabetta Moro provides a local perspective, explaining how living in the shadow of these active giants has influenced Neapolitan culture. This episode is a fusion of science, history, and travelogue, brought to life by Ó Briain’s engaging presentation. Catch “Volcano with Dara Ó Briain: Part 2” this Wednesday, April 2nd at 9:00 PM on Channel 5.
