Our world is lit by two fires One above. And one below. Nothing can contain the inferno beneath our feet In the past thousand years, volcanoes have claimed more than 300,000 lives No beauty more deadly than the fire within. The rocky heights of the Andes, in South America, are more than mere mountains. Many are sleeping volcanoes. In Colombia, a peak called Galeras has slumbered more than four decades. Then in 1988, soldiers stationed at its summit reported small earthquakes, and the smell of sulfur. Some six miles away, the city of Pasto is built on rich volcanic soil the pride of local farmers. Galeras has never harmed Pasto. But a large eruption could threaten up to 400,000 lives. Colombian officials invited Standley Williams, of Arizona State University, to work with local volcanologist, An expert of Latin American volcanoes William helped organize the international Galeras Workshop, in January 1993. El volcan Galeras es el volcan historicamente mas activo en todo el Colombia... Close to a hundred volcanologist from fifteen nations attend. After three days of meetings, they head for the summit. Galeras has been stable for six months a reassuring sign to Williams and his colleagues. We were volcanologist with a lot of experience.