Katia and Maurice Krafft

The unusual life of Katia and Maurice Krafft was consumed by the blazing heat of volcanoes. The two volcanologists existed in a triangle of love between each other, volcanoes, and the art of film. On this website, you may find hints of biographical information, yet it is dedicated to honoring their visual accomplishments in bringing us as close as possible to the mysteries of volcanic activities. 

Volcano on First Sight

Katia (b1942) and Maurice (b1946) met at the University of Strasburg and married in 1970.  Like most normal couples, they decided to venture to Mount Stromboli and witness its eruption for their honeymoon. After receiving praise for their video documentation, they continued to take footage of their expeditions. 

They collected samples of gas and pyroclastic debris only mere feet from active eruptions. Their books gave close-up insight for volcanologists around the world, and Katia is a pioneer volcanologist in a male-dominated field. 

Maurice and Katia Krafft- Photo taken from Google images

"They collected samples of gas and pyroclastic debris only mere feet from active eruptions."  - GIF from Google images

Maurice

Maurice Krafft - Photo taken from Google Images

Years before his future honeymoon with Katia in Stromboli, Maurice fell in love with volcanoes at the young age of 7, when he visited the same mountain with his family.  At the age of 15, he joined the Geological Society of France. He then continued his studies at the University of Besançon and later at the University of Strasburg, where he met Katia. 


Katia

Katia Krafft. Photo taken from a New York Times article.

Friends of Katia wrote in her obituary: "She was equally determined and alert, combining in a very appealing way personal modesty with strong self-confidence." Katia was a driving force in the Krafft's relationship. She was fascinated with the mysterious geological nature of volcanoes and was determined to get as close as possible, and always be the first at the scene of eruption. 


We will now dive through the looking glass of the Kraffts' lenses.  Click here to learn about their love of volcanic and cinematographic compositions: