Discovery Channel Special Shows Fearless UB Volcanologist Braving the Blasts of the "Throat of Fire"

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- University at Buffalo volcanologist Michael F. Sheridan has been near dangerous volcanoes before, but at 9 p.m. on Jan. 20, audiences across the U.S. will see just how close he got to the fiery blasts of Ecuador's Tungurahua when the show, "Ultimate Guide: Volcanoes" premieres on the Discovery Channel.

With the Discovery Channel crew filming, an international team of scientists including Sheridan flew a specially equipped airplane over this erupting volcano, which was sending plumes of smoke and ash several miles into the sky.

Tungurahua, which means "Throat of Fire" in the Quechua Indian language, has been active for several years and threatens surrounding cities, including the popular tourist destination Banos, located at its base.

Sheridan's objective was to combine the high-tech images obtained from the flight with a new 3D visualization system he developed with other UB scientists to create the most accurate, detailed picture possible of a volcano's destructive capabilities.

Additional information on Sheridan's work on Tungurahua is available here.