Fogo Volcano Eruption

Fogo Island, Cape Verde - Dec. 2014

Photos from the eruption of the volcano on Fogo Island, Cabo Verde. Dec 2014 The volcano sent a large lava flow into the village of Portella, completely destroying the village and surrounding vineyards. I travelled to Fogo soon after the eruption started, and we documented it (at very close range) for an episode of "Angry Planet".

Two vents erupting along the flanks of Fogo volcano. We were able to get close enough that I melted a hole in my jacket and camera bag, just by placing them on the ground.	Even though we had permission to be there, the local police were not impressed with our proximity to the erution site.	Two vents erupting simultaneously on Fogo volcano.

The lava begins to glow more as the light begins to fade in the evening.	While photographing the eruption, the ground was shaking so much that the vibrations travelled up my tripod and shook my camera, making the streaks of lava flying through the air appear rippled. I've never experienced continuous tremors like that before.	Intense Strombolian eruptions, tossing lava bombs hundreds of meters through the air. We got as close as we dared.

The lava flow at night, near the vents. This lava is working its way downhill to Portella vilage.	On the flank of Fogo volcano during a very active night of eruptions. The frequent explosions were dramatic!	Sunset at the eruption site on Fogo volcano, Cape Verde Islands.

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A doomed village. there is no way to stop the encroaching lava flow. All these buildings in Portella were eventually destroyed.	The lava flow from Fogo Volcano covers the village of Portella.	A few minutes after this photo was taken, the lava crashed through the door... While I was inside, with the camera rolling!

Here I am, grabbing a fresh sample of lava from the front of the `a`a lava flow as it steamrolled into the village of Portella. At this point, it was moving slowly, but I still managed to melt my boot.	Carnage. Even my special heat-resistant gloves were no match for the incredibly hot lava. I could grab some pieces, but within seconds, my gloves started to burst into flames.	A closer look at the incanscent lava.

This blocky style of lava flow is called `a`a lava.	Displaced villagers in a temporary refugee camp. Most of their homes, and property no longer exist.	Gas rises from the side of the Fogo stratovolcano where the erupting vents are. This eruption did not come from the summit.

Fogo volcano as seen from near Portella village on a clear day.	Filming a scene in Cape Verde, en route to the volcano.

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