In 1562 a terrible volcanic eruption occurred on the island of Pico, in the Azores. Eyewitnesses of the event included Diego Díez, Juan Rodríguez and Pedro Morcillo, captain, pilot and secretary, respectively, of the ship "Nuestra Señora de la Luz". As soon as they landed in Cadiz they reported to judge Antonio de Avalia and handed him a 'very true account' of that extraordinary event. Their account circulated rapidly, both within and beyond Spain, in manuscript and in printed formo on the basis of the documents that have been discovered so far, the article presented here reconstructs the curious textual, typographical and publishing history of their account.