On May 8, 1902, Mont Pelée, an active volcano that formed the north end of the island of Martinique, erupted, engulfing the city of Saint-Pierre in superheated gas, ash and rock in just three minutes.

The swift and sudden explosion would turn out to be the deadliest in the twentieth century.

To quote Dr. Ian Malcolm (played by actor and certified genius Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park): "Life finds a way," even in the harshest conditions, and when all seems lost. Today's story demonstrates that theory, even if how we survive is a little absurd. 

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