Today in 1991 Katia and Maurice Krafft were on Mt Unzen with Harry Glicken and 41 journalists covering the eruption. All of them were killed when a pyroclastic flow made an unexpected turn.
Why are they so important to me? The day before they died Maurice is recorded as saying “I am never afraid because I have seen so much eruptions in 23 years that even if I die tomorrow, I don’t care”
Harry Glicken was supposed to be on duty at Mt St Helens on the morning of May 18, 1980 and David A. Johnston took his place and was killed.
These are the kinds of people who inspired me to study volcanoes (don’t tell my mother) people whose love of this dangerous beauty of nature took them closer to the action then most people would dare. They did amazing work, and inspire the rest of us.
wikipedia entry on the Kraffts
Photos
Harry Glicken on CVOs website
AND the ever full of surprises Mt Unzen!
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