Volcanoes : crucibles of change / Richard V. Fisher, Grant Heiken and Jeffrey B. Hulen ; illustrated by Jeff and Renate Hulen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Fisher, Richard V. (Richard Virgil), 1928-2002, author.

Heiken, Grant, author.

Contributor:

Hulen, Jeffrey B. (Jeffrey Brooke), 1946- illustrator, author.

Hulen, Renate, illustrator.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Volcanoes--History.

Volcanoes.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (340 pages)

Place of Publication:

Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, [1997]

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Cover Page

Half-title Page

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication Page

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Part I. Volcanoes and Eruptions

Chapter 1. Politicians and Volcanoes

A Modern Tragedy: Mount St. Helens

An Eruption Carnival Turned Tragic

Far from the Volcano

The Costs of the Eruption

The Eruption Setting

Tracking the Eruption

References

Chapter 2. Why Do Volcanoes Erupt?

From the Tiny Molecule, Giants Grow

Volcano Country

Chapter 3. Volcanoes and Eruptions

Types of Volcanoes

Composite Volcanoes

Domes

Calderas

Cinder Cones (Scoria Cones)

Maars

Volcanic Eruptions

Gas Eruptions

Hawaiian Eruptions

Strombolian Eruptions

Plinian Eruptions

Two Eruption Types

Mount Pinatubo 's Big Surprise

Chapter 4. Poseidon and Pluto: Water and Volcanoes

Bikini and the Base Surge

Taal Volcano

Maar Volcanoes and Cinder Cones

A Little-Known Frontier: Volcanic Eruptions under the Sea

Deep-Sea Eruptions

Black Pillows on the Seafloor

Part II. The Hazards of Volcanoes

Chapter 5. Volcanic Hurricanes

What Happens inside a Pyroclastic Flow?

What Goes Up Must Come Down

Mount Unzen and Merapi

Firecloud Rock: A Detective Story

Calderas and Pyroclastic Flows

Volcanism after a Caldera Collapse

World War II and the Battle for a Caldera

Chapter 6. Falling Volcanoes and Floods of Mud

A Mountain Fell

Debris Avalanches and Slides beneath the Sea

Volcanic Debris Flows (Lahars)

Potential Destruction from Mount Rainier

Chapter 7. Lava Flows

Stopping a Lava Flow

Ditches, Walls, and Dams

Cooling Lava with Water

Interrupting a Lava Flow

The 1991 -1992 Eruption of Mount Etna

Lava Put to Use

A Ride on a Lava Flow.

References

Chapter 8. Never Sail through an Eruption Cloud

A Sailing Ship and a Jet

Other Encounters with Ash Clouds

Jetliners

Ash and Aircraft Safety

Chapter 9. The Breath of Volcanoes

Effects of Volcanic Gases

The Year without a Summer

Part III. Myths and Benefits of Volcanoes

Chapter 10. Sometimes the Gods Are Angry

Volcanoes Assault the Senses

Changing Ideas from Old to New

Thera (Santorini): Its Influence on the Modern World

Volcanoes and the Underworld

Divine Intervention

The Making of a Myth

The Emergence of Volcanology as a Science

Science and Modern Ritual

Chapter 11. Volcanoes for Consumers

Skiing and Hot Baths

Construction Materials and Kitty Litter

The Grand Tour

Modern Volcano Tourism

Chapter 12. Volcanic Treasures: Steam, Gold, and Diamonds

Steam

Oil and Volcanoes Don't Mix . . . or Do They?

Volcanoes and Prospectors' Dreams

Volcanic Gemstones

Chapter 13. From Ashes Grow the Vines

The Allure of Volcanoes

Farms

Coffee Plantations

Fertility and Rebirth

Recovery from Vulcan's Devastation

Chapter 14. Volcanic Rocks: Guardians of History

Volcanic Ash: The Nearly Perfect Preservative

Human Origins in the Ethiopian Rift

Preserving Historic Cultures

Part IV. Living near Volcanoes

Chapter 15. Mitigation and Survival

Assessing the Hazards: The Pulse of Volcanoes

What Is a Disaster?

The Lesson of Armero

Mount Pinatubo: A Success Story

Volcanologists on the Front Lines

The Tragedy at Galeras Volcano

Dante and the Volcano

Appendix 1. The Volcano Traveler

Canada and United States

Mexico and Central America

Composite Volcanoes of Costa Rica

South America

New Zealand

Indonesia.

Philippines

Japan

Italy

Greece

Appendix 2. Metric Conversion Table

Index.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780691238210

0691238219

OCLC:

1273977780