The Man Who Faked A Volcano Eruption - One Of The Greatest April Fools' Hoaxes Ever

Few pranksters have been this ambitious

Photo taken by HAROLD WAHLMAN

On the 1st of April 1974 (aka April Fools’ Day), residents of Sitka, Alaska, saw smoke rising from Mount Edgecumbe, the supposedly dormant volcano that loomed over the town.

The volcano had been dormant for 4000 years, but despite its usual calm nature and the fact that it was April Fools’ Day, locals were understandably alarmed. Local radio stations and the police were soon inundated with worried calls, and residents ventured into the streets to look up in concern at the rising column of dark smoke.

The US Coast Guard sent a helicopter to investigate what was going on, and when it reached the caldera, the pilot saw something unexpected. Instead of bubbling lava, he saw a pile of burning car tires, and a painted message next to them that read “April Fool” in 50-foot…