First it thunders, then it rustles loudly, as if a deity took a deep breath. Lava shoots into the air and rains down onto the black crater floor, where it slowly burns up and solidifies. In between, chimneys are steaming. And it dawns on city slickers like me that only a thin layer of earth and illusion separates us from the underworld. And that we are at the mercy of forces much stronger than us.

Access to all STERN PLUS content and articles from the print magazine

ad-free

Already registered?