This collection of photos (and occasionally movies) will let you participate in the dynamic life of Sicily's volcanoes and the life of a volcanologist who is part of a team keeping an eye on those volcanoes with the aim of understanding what the hell makes them do what they do.

Born in Germany but fascinated since childhood by volcanoes, I eventually moved to Catania, Sicily, to live and work close to one of the Earth's most active and intriguing volcanoes: Mount Etna. Following my college studies and PhD in geology, I obtained a contract with the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology), Sezione di Catania, and now work full time as a volcanologist on this fascinating and beautiful volcano. By the way, I am now responsible for the updates and general volcano information on the institute's web site!

I am with a beautiful woman, Catherine, who moved from France to Catania (she says for Etna, not for me :<D), and we have a marvellous little daughter, Ida, who is the most wonderful thing in my life.