This was painted as a response to the December 2019 volcanic eruption on White Island New Zealand. The islands that constitute New Zealand are part of the 'ring of fire' because they straddle the junction of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates. I've never been to New Zealand but the terrifying newsreel images coming out during those few days captured my attention, fascinated me and also saddened me that over 30 holiday makers, so unprepared, were killed or badly injured. It reminded me that the crust of the whole of the planet is very fragile. All of us are a matter of a few hundred yards away from an apocalypse. For example not so very long ago (in geological time scale) there were active volcanoes Somerset!