With ash from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano disrupting airline schedules in Europe once again, the North American premiere of The Volcano that Stopped the World looks at the science behind the headlines of this extraordinary story. It airs on THE PASSIONATE EYE, Sunday, May 16 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, on CBC News Network.
British geologist Nick Petford heads to the heart of the eruption zone, taking viewers on a helicopter ride as close to the crater as possible to explore the geological and scientific factors that led to the crisis. During Petford’s journey, he tries to find out why Eyjafjallajökull erupted in the first place.
Iceland is one of the most volcanic places on earth. With regular eruptions every few years, Icelanders know they must be ready for the next violent eruption. Some 25 miles north of Eyjafjallajökull lies Iceland’s most active volcano, Hekla, known in the Middle Ages as the ‘Gateway to Hell.’ It’s a three and a half mile long fissure that erupted most recently only 10 years ago. And the world’s most destructive volcanic eruption in recorded history took place in southern Iceland in June 1783. Now another volcano is causing concern. Katla is a very active and fierce volcano and geologists, including Petford, believe it’s just a matter of time before it too erupts.
The Volcano that Stopped the World also delves into the dangers posed by ash to aircraft. Over the past 30 years, there have been more than a hundred recorded cases in which volcanic ash has caused damage to planes. Most infamously, in June 1982 a British Airways Boeing 747, en route to New Zealand, flew through an ash cloud from Indonesia’s Galunggung volcano. Captain Eric Moody recounts the harrowing story of how all four engines stopped and the airplane plummeted from 11 kilometers to 3.6 kilometers. Only 10 minutes away from impact and after 50 attempts, Moody was able to restart the engines and make an emergency landing, saving the lives of nearly 250 people.
Executive producer of The Volcano that Stopped the World is Stuart Carter for Pioneer Productions.
He was part of the political dynasty—the Kennedys—who took over Washington 50 years ago. Like his brother John F. Kennedy, Bobby dreamed of becoming president and changing America, but he too was cut down by an assassin’s bullet (June 6, 1968). This tragic event heralded the end of an era in America. A few months later, Richard Nixon was elected president and the American political scene shifted to the right. An encore presentation of The Assassination of Bobby Kennedy, airing on Saturday, May 29 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, presents a compelling portrait of that era and the Kennedy family’s campaign for the White House half a century ago.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: During the NHL Playoffs on CBC Television, THE NATIONAL with Peter Mansbridge airs an extra edition on CBC News Network at 10 p.m. ET (Monday through Friday). This is in addition to the regular newscasts at 9 and 11 p.m. ET/PT. Documentaries airing at 10 p.m. PT will not be affected.
CBC NEWS NETWORK DOCUMENTARY SCHEDULE FOR MAY 16 – 30
The Volcano that Stopped the World
Sunday, May 16 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Repeats Sat., May 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Who Killed the Electric Car?
Sunday, May 23 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Assassination of Bobby Kennedy
Saturday, May 29 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Repeats Sunday, May 30 at 8 p.m. ET
A Lady’s Guide to Brothels
Sunday, May 30 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
