Women in History: Katia Krafft (17 April 1942 – 3 June 1991)

 

Katia Krafft was a French volcanologist.  She chased volcanic eruptions the way some people chase tornadoes.

 

She took a lot of risks and in the end a volcano got her – on Mount Unzen in Japan in 1991. Over 40 people were killed when a lava flow unexpectedly changed direction.

 

Before her untimely demise she put together films and books about volcanoes.

 

Thanks to the fabulous book Fantastically Great Women Who Worked Wonders by Kate Pankhurst