Scientific opinion was divided when, in 1864, Professor Hardwigg first told of his adventurous journey to the center of the Earth.

Should scientists believe this far-fetched tale from a member of their community? An envious rival succeeds in undermining Hardwigg’s credibility and gradually the whole story is forgotten.

The expedition is rumored to have been pure fantasy....

2005: somewhere in the skies above Iceland. Ariane, a young reporter, is out covering a story for a leading discovery magazine. No sooner has her helicopter landed on a ledge of the Sneffels volcano than it is destroyed in a violent rockslide. Ariane is thrown clear, but the pilot is lost. She sets off to try and find help when suddenly the earth opens up under her feet...