There must be few things more frightening than being caught up in the deadly path of an all-absorbing lava flow. Imagine the intense heat, being spattered with skin-scalding magma that’s erupting from the depths beneath or being covered in blistering hot ash spewed forth from the gaping mouth of the giant fiery furnace.

We’ve unearthed some fascinating images of the devastation and destruction caused by the devouring nature of eruptive volcanoes. We hope you’ll agree they make for compulsive viewing.