Author Archives: Nick

About Nick

Nick Petford is Vice-Chancellor of the University of Northampton, and an expert in magmatic systems and volcanology. He has appeared in several documentaries on the BBC and Channel 4.

Krakatoa revealed? Part three

Posted on March 13, 2013

I’m in Java, Indonesia, filming a documentary on the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa – read part one and part two here. We have spent the last two days filming on and around Anak Krakatau. The boat ride out from the … Continue reading →

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Krakatoa revealed? Part two

Posted on March 12, 2013

I’m in Java, Indonesia, filming a documentary on the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa – read part one here. Today was a day of mixed blessings. It started well, with filming at the 4th point lighthouse destroyed originally by the 1883 … Continue reading →

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Krakatoa revealed?

Posted on March 11, 2013

So, here I am in Java, Indonesia (again) on my way to shoot a documentary (again) with Pioneer Productions ( I must say I thought they would be sick of me by now) on the 1883 eruption of  Krakatoa. The … Continue reading →

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Notes from a small volcanic island: Part 2

Posted on January 11, 2013

One of the most time consuming things about  filming outdoors is the walking shot. Speaking to camera interview style is mostly achieved easily after just a few takes. But the seemingly trivial and non-technical activity of filming me walking takes … Continue reading →

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Notes from a small volcanic island

Posted on January 9, 2013

Early start from Gatwick to Tenerife, but greeted on lading with warm sun and blue skies. We are here for three days to film a documentary for the Weather Channel on volcanoes and their effects on the earths climate. Apparently … Continue reading →

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Communicating geology in the digital age

Posted on December 5, 2011

When the news broke on Friday that a new Icelandic eruption could be on the way, it didn’t take long for it to spread. This hasn’t always been the case. In its early years, the physics of geological communication was … Continue reading →

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Etna, Stromboli and smelly tshirts part 3: Volcanomics

Posted on October 4, 2011

  Nick Petford updates us on his National Geographic filming trip in Italy… Once Catania airport reopened, we flew the short hop to Naples four hours behind schedule, and enjoyed fantastic views of Etna’s summit, Stromboli and the Aeolian Islands. … Continue reading →

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Etna, Stromboli and smelly tshirts: part 2

Posted on September 29, 2011

Filming is just about wrapped up here – we had a good morning shoot on the flanks of Stromboli yesterday, now the weather has cleared. The hydrofoil back to Messina stopped off at all the main Aeolian islands, then we … Continue reading →

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Filming on location – Etna, Stromboli and smelly tshirts…

Posted on September 28, 2011

It is hard sometimes to overestimate the amount of time spent faffing  around when making a documentary (or any kind of filming for that matter). I am currently on location  in southern Italy making a documentary commissioned  by National Geographic … Continue reading →

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