George Ulrich (American geologist)

Ulrich received his PhD in Geology from the University of Colorado in 1963.

[1] On 12 June 1985 while working for the United States Geological Survey as senior geologist of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Ulrich fell through a thin crust of rock and was partially submerged in lava.

He was quickly pulled out by a visiting Italian geologist, named Dario Tedesco,[2] but received second and third degree burns on both of his legs and lost a boot.

[3] His protective equipment protected his legs from being burned beyond saving; according to Ulrich's account, he suffered no pain at the time as the intense heat of the lava immediately destroyed his nerve endings.

[3][4][5] The remains of the gear he wore when exposed to the lava is currently on display at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.