Eruption (1997 film)

Eruption is a 1997 American disaster action film directed by Félix Enríquez Alcalá and starring Costas Mandylor, Donald Moffat, and Ami Dolenz. The film was produced as a television movie.

The plot centers around a dormant volcano located near a small town in the Cascade Mountains of Washington state that suddenly becomes active. A volcanologist, Dr. Jake Calder (Mandylor), and his team must race against time to evacuate the townspeople and prevent a catastrophic eruption. The film explores themes of natural disaster, scientific expertise versus political and economic pressures, and the resilience of a community in the face of overwhelming odds.

"Eruption" is characterized by its visual effects depicting volcanic activity, including lava flows, pyroclastic surges, and ash clouds. Critical reception of the film was generally negative, with reviewers citing unrealistic scientific scenarios and predictable plot elements. Despite the criticism, the film has gained a cult following due to its over-the-top action sequences and portrayal of a classic disaster movie trope. It aired on NBC in 1997.