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This episode contains some graphic descriptions of

destruction and death by volcanic eruption of both adults and children. If that's not something you want

to hear about, this may be a good episode to skip. Also, I'm not trained in geology or volcanology,

so if I get something wrong, please let me know so I can correct my

mistakes. Thank you. Humans are fascinated by gore and violence, but even more so the mysterious and unsolved.

Interest in these disturbing and unpleasant subjects is called morbid curiosity, and it has gripped hundreds of people throughout the ages.

I am one of those people. My name is Hallie, and this is the Morbid Curiosity

podcast. The

The Imagine feeling tremors beneath your feet, then looking up at the mountain behind your home

and seeing a cloud of smoke spewing forth from its peak.

It begins to rain hot ash and pumice, volcanic rock, and continues for so long you must flee your house or become trapped inside as the ash builds up like snow.

It's so heavy it collapses rooftops and you must pull your clothing up over

your face just to breathe. Imagine the air is so full of ash that you need a lantern to see,

even though it's daylight. Then imagine you hear a roaring louder than any thunder. You begin to run,

but you already know you won't escape the black

hot surge of cloud that's moving down the mountain faster than you can consciously comprehend.

...