The Virgin Volcanic website says the vehicle will take a group of people, including Branson, into the earth's core through one of five active volcanos (Etna in Sicily, Italy; Stromboli, Aeolian Islands; Yasur, Republic of Vanuatu; Ambrym, Republic of Vanuatu and Tinakula; Solomon Islands) and emerge on the other side of the world. Sound like a joke? It is. No one has ever been to the center of the earth, but scientists have used seismic observations to speculate that the earth's mantle is made of liquid iron and nickel. Others say a black hole is at the center of the earth. The press release says the corkscrew-like vehicle is made from "patented" carbon carbon.
Branson said, "I have a long held a fascination with volcanoes having read Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth as a young boy. I decided that one day I would go there too. Alongside our adventures with Virgin Galactic and Virgin Oceanic, volcanoes are the next great unexplored terrain. What can I say, I lava challenge!"
The spiral-shaped probe looks straight out of Austin Powers. Seth Green, the actor who played Dr. Evil's son Scott in the movie Austin Powers, is one of the passengers. He is quoted on the site saying, "Ever since filming Austin Powers, I've had this obsession with underground layers. I've waited patiently for Sir Richard to make the dream of traveling to the Earth's core a reality."
Liquid hot mag-ma, anyone?
The other riders include actor Tom Hanks, Will.i.am and documentary filmmaker Barbara Kopple.
Introducing #VirginVolcanic, journeying to the centre of the earth thru the world’s 5 most active volcanoes! virg.co/vv— richardbranson (@richardbranson) March 31, 2012
The post goes even further to say Barbara Kopple will make a documentary about the expedition, along with a soundtrack by Will.i.am that will be recorded inside an active volcano.
Some companies just can't wait for April Fools' Day to arrive. Already by Saturday, pranks were hitting the web, with some sharp commenters catching on to the jokes and others taking it very seriously.
What do you think about Branson's Virgin Volcanic announcement? Did this prank make you laugh? Tell us in the comments.