world reviewer
Hamish Holl
Hamish has been fascinated by volcanoes since he was eight and he had to study them as a school assignment. At this time in his life Hamish liked to model himself in Indiana Jones. Since then he has tried to learn as much about them as possible, hoping to bring what Indy brought to archaeology to volcanology. He is now completing his Geomorphology Masters and has spent time working at several different seismic centres. When Hamish travels his preferred destination is somewhere with a volcano. His next trip will take him (hopefully) to the summit of Mount Killimanjaro.
Hamish isn’t only about volcanoes, he’s also developed his adventurers charm as a leader in the outward bound program, and by spending a year volunteering as an aid worker in Kenya.
Hamish Holl's activity
- 26 Jul 2009
Hamish Holl reviewed Bromo Volcano in Indonesia
Gunung Bromo is part of the Tengger mountains, not the highest point, but because it's an active volcano it's one of the best known. Ibromo is often photographed smoking, or emitting sparks of ash. Despite the danger, two people were killed o…"
- 13 Jan 2009
Hamish Holl reviewed Kilimanjaro in Moshi, Tanzania
Thought of more as one of the world’s tallest mountains, Kilimanjaro is actually a stratovolcano. It isn’t currently active but the fumaroles or vents in the sides of the main summit occasionally emit hot gases. They say that an active person can clim…"
- 17 Dec 2007
Hamish Holl reviewed Crater Lake in US West Coast, United States
Crater Lake, though not a volcano in the usual sense, is one of the most dramatic non-erupting volcanoes to visit, because it was created by a volcanic eruption 42 times that of the 1980 St. Helens eruption. It's a vast caldera that has filled with wate…"
- 20 Jun 2007
- 05 Jun 2007
- 08 May 2007
Hamish Holl reviewed Stromboli in Aeolian Islands, Italy
If you are trying to see a volcanic eruption the most reliable volcano is Stromboli, because there are small but dramatic looking eruptions happening several times a day and gas can almost constantly be seen billowing from the crater."
Hamish Holl reviewed Old faithful & the Yellowstone Caldera in Mountain States, United States
Underneath Yellowstone National Park is one of the earths biggest supervolcanoes, and scientific studies have recently shown that seismic activity there is increasing. The whole Yellowstone system is expected to blow at some point in an eruption 2,500 …"
Hamish Holl reviewed Krakatau in Indonesia
Krakatoa is another one of the big, destructive names in volcanoes. It is worth visiting today because the island is rebuilding itself after being almost totally destroyed in violent past eruptions, especially the main event in 1883. There is a small …"
Hamish Holl reviewed Mount St Helens in US West Coast, United States
Mount St. Helens is one of this centuries most destructive volcanoes. In 1980 it was responsible for the death of 57 people and the devastation of 250 homes and 300kms of highway. Since 1980 a glacier has rapidly formed in the shadow of the crater, to…"
Hamish Holl reviewed Etna in Catania, Italy
Mount Etna’s summit changes with each eruptions so it’s a constantly changing and dramatic looking mountain as well as one of the world most active volcanoes. It is also one of the worlds most studied volcanoes. Eruptions of Mount Etna have occurred f…"
Hamish Holl reviewed Arenal in Costa Rica
Arenal is a another good choice if you want to see an active volcano. It has Stromboli type eruptions which are fantastic to watch, especially at night because the lava lights up the surrounds and the rocks seem to glow and pulsate. You can also swim …"
Hamish Holl reviewed Santorini Volcano in Cyclades Islands, Greece
This area is renowned for it’s historic volcanic activity, memorably the destruction of the Minoan empire and the burial of one of it’s cities. Some people (mostly people who live there) believe that Santorini was the fabled sunken island of Atlantis. …"
Hamish Holl reviewed Vesuvius in Naples, Italy
This is probably the worlds best known volcano. As well as visiting Pompeii and seeing the damage a volcano can do to a city, Vesuvius is an impressive backdrop for any trip. It’s also relatively easy to get to, you can drive up to within 200 metres o…"
Hamish Holl reviewed Kilauea in Kilauea, United States
Kilauea is in direct competition with Stromboli for the title of the worlds most active volcano. If you’re trying to see lava flows Kilauea is probably your best bet, it’s been flowing intermittently since the early 80’s. In the 90’s it was called the…"
- 25 Apr 2007
Hamish Holl reviewed Mount Kilimanjaro in Moshi, Tanzania
Thought of more as one of the world's tallest mountains, Kilimanjaro is actually a stratovolcano. It isn't currently active but the fumaroles or vents in the sides of the main summit occasionally emit hot gases. They say that an active person can climb…"
Hamish Holl reviewed Masaya in Nicaragua
Masaya has, during several eruptions, spurted fire from it's summit, it also used to have a molten lava lake, so it's thought of as one of the worlds most exciting volcanoes. Masaya also emits large quantities of hot sulphur gases. You can drive almost…"
Hamish Holl reviewed Mount Fuji in Fuji, Japan
Mount Fuji is an attractive and classical looking volcano, the subject of much famous art. The Japanese guide books tell you it’s symmetrical, which it is probably surprisingly close to. It’s classed as a young volcano, but only because it has only ex…"
Hamish Holl reviewed Diamond Head in Honolulu, United States
Diamond Head is one of the easiest and least dangerous volcanoes to visit. It is unlikely that it will ever erupt again and it is located on a beautiful tropical island. You can walk all around the crater on a comfortable paved trail and through a tun…"
Hamish Holl reviewed Sunset Crater in Southwest Desert, United States
The ground near the top of the volcano is brightly coloured due to the effects of the hot gasses that once spewed from the mouth, hence the name. There is also an impressive lava flow beneath the summit. Vegetation now grows inside the crater."
Hamish Holl reviewed Craters of the Moon in Mountain States, United States
Not actually a volcano, more of a volcanic site, the Craters of the Moon is a flood basalt area and lava field. There are excellent examples of almost every kind of hardened lava here as well as great lava tubes to explore."
Hamish Holl reviewed Mount Tambora in Indonesia
Tambora is worth visiting for the remains that scientists have been digging up since 2004 of those killed in the huge 1815 eruption (it's sometimes called the Pompeii of the East) and the beautiful island surroundings. You can drive most of the way up t…"
Hamish Holl reviewed Pico de Teide in Spain
Teide is part of a National Park and has a public road running across it's caldera, allowing visitors easy access to within about 250 metres of the summit. You can also ride most of the way up it in a cable car. To go to the very top you need a permit,…"
Hamish Holl reviewed Novarupta in Alaska Northwest, United States
This caldera volcano was formed during the biggest eruption of the 20th Century. It's surrounds are now a strange smooth and rocky environment worth visiting for it's eerie and immense formations."
Hamish Holl reviewed Mt Pinatubo in Santol, Philippines
This volcano is not only responsible for the second largest eruption of the 20th century, it also occurred in most people's living memory. The huge eruption in June of 1991 generated an ash column 7kms high. You can still visit the post eruption destru…"
