French theme park Vulcania has opened its first ever roller coaster, Namazu.

Manufactured by Intamin Amusement Rides, this new family launch coaster includes indoor and outdoor sections, two launch elements and one free fall element. During the pre-ride experience visitors enter the scientific base of a team of seismologists (the ‘Namazu’ team) based near the site of an unstable seismic fault, then join them on a roller coaster themed as vehicles specially designed to access rugged areas.

Join the Namazu expedition!

"You will discover an environment very evocative of earthquakes and will be immediately immersed in the atmosphere: the area seems to have been shaped by an earthquake that affected both the landscape and the buildings.

The ground seems to be rising in layers, faults and cracks appear on the roads and constructions.

The Namazu scientific team has established its seismology monitoring and research laboratory on a particularly unstable fault. Its seismic activity allows numerous surveys and facilitates research. Despite everything, the area remains dangerous, although the buildings are of earthquake-resistant design, the area is often evacuated as a safety measure.

Before taking off-road vehicles specially designed to access the hilly areas to join the Namazu team in the field, you will be invited to enter the base in groups to find the scientific chief of the Namazu team."

Namazu facts & figures:

• Type: Family Drop Coaster
• Manufacturer: Intamin
• Length: 584m
• Launch elements: 2
• Free fall: elements: 1
• Number of trains: 2
• Capacity per vehicle: 2
• Number of vehicles per train: 6
• Number of passengers per train: 12
• Capacity: 654 people per hour