Eyewitness accounts and detailed documentation of what happens
above and below ground enliven this discussion of volcanoes past
and present. Here you can find out what goes on before and during
eruptions, as well as discover what volcanologists do. But this
book also bears in mind that a fair number of people will first
attempt to defy volcanoes when threatened by an eruption. Also
considered are the problems of when to close roads and evacuate
areas, and there is a fascinating account of the discussions at the
time of the Mount St Helens eruption in 1980. Editor's note: Dr Sue
Bowler is the editor of Astronomy and Geographysics, the journal of
the Royal Astronomical Society, and works at the School of Earth
Sciences at Leeds University. (Kirkus UK)
Whenever a volcano threatens to erupt, scientists and
adventurers from around the world flock to the site in response to
the irresistible allure of one of nature's most dangerous and
unpredictable phenomena. In a unique book probing the science and
mystery of these fiery features, the authors chronicle not only
their geologic behavior but also their profound effect on human
life. From Mount Vesuvius to Mount St. Helens, the book covers the
surprisingly large variety of volcanoes, the subtle to conspicuous
signs preceding their eruptions, and their far-reaching atmospheric
consequences. Here scientific facts take on a very human dimension,
as the authors draw upon actual encounters with volcanoes, often
through firsthand accounts of those who have witnessed eruptions
and miraculously survived the aftermath.
The book begins with a description of the lethal May 1980
eruption of Mount St. Helens--complete with an explanation of how
safety officials and scientists tried to predict events, and how
unsuspecting campers and loggers miles away struggled against
terrifying blasts of ash, stone, and heat. The story moves quickly
to the ways volcanoes have enhanced our lives, creating
mineral-rich land, clean thermal energy, and haunting landscapes
that in turn benefit agriculture, recreation, mining, and commerce.
Religion and psychology embroider the account, as the authors
explore the impact of volcanoes on the human psyche through tales
of the capricious volcano gods and attempts to appease them,
ranging from simple homage to horrific ritual sacrifice.
"Volcanoes" concludes by assisting readers in experiencing these
geological phenomena for themselves. An unprecedented "tourist
guide to volcanoes" outlines over forty sites throughout the world.
Not only will travelers find information on where to go and how to
get there, they will also learn what precautions to take at each
volcano. Tourists, amateur naturalists, and armchair travelers
alike will find their scientific curiosity whetted by this
informative and entertaining book.
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