The Kraffts became well known as pioneers in the filming, photographing, and recording of volcanoes, often coming within feet of lava flows.

Following the onset of activity at Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991, the Kraffts' footage of the impact of the 1985 Nevado del Ruiz lahar in Colombia, which had caused the Armero tragedy, was shown to large numbers of people, including the then president of the Philippines, Corazon Aquino, and was attributed to convincing a number of sceptics that an evacuation of the area was necessary.

[9] The Kraffts' close-up footage of volcanic eruptions has been attributed to enhancing geologists' understanding and knowledge of the topic, while Katia has been cited as a pioneer in the field of female volcanologists.

[9] In addition to their observations, the Kraffts also took measures, gas readings, and samples, often feet away from pyroclastic and lava flows, and documented how the eruptions affected the local ecosystem.

[14][15] The remains of the Kraffts were cremated during a Catholic funeral service, and were placed at the Anyo-ji Shrine in Shimabara, which was dedicated to the victims of the 1792 Unzen earthquake and tsunami.

[17] After his death, Maurice was quoted in the Associated Press as stating that he wanted to die pursuing his work "at the edge of a volcano.

Donations are directed to educate people in countries of high volcanic risk about the hazards active volcanoes pose.