National Geographic LIVE – Andres Ruzo – The Hunt for Sleeping Giants

Back by popular demand, National Geographic LIVE shares the stories behind the world-renowned photos and articles of National Geographic.

In 79 AD, residents of a town on the coast of Italy were enjoying afternoon snacks of walnuts and dried figs when nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted after centuries of dormancy. Volcanoes existed for millennia before that well-known disaster, but these sleeping giants have rumbled in our imaginations even more since then. Followgeothermal scientist Andrés Ruzo for a journey to far-off lava fields, hidden boiling rivers, and through the fiery portals to the Earth’s core.

Andrés Ruzo is a geothermal scientist and explorer known for his work with National Geographic. He gained recognition for discovering and studying the Boiling River (Shanay-Timpishka) in the Peruvian Amazon. As a National Geographic Explorer, Ruzo has focused on geothermal phenomena and their environmental and cultural significance. His work combines scientific research with storytelling to raise awareness about conservation and indigenous knowledge. Ruzo’s efforts have been featured in National Geographic documentaries and publications, highlighting the intersection of science, exploration, and environmental protection.

Ruzo holds degrees in geology and finance and will soon finish his Ph.D. in EarthSciences. He also hosted a National Geographic Latin America television show Misterios del Inframundo (Mysteries of the Underworld).