Volcanoes

by Fisher, Richard V.; Heiken, Grant; Hulen, Jeffrey B.; Hulen, Renate

• ISBN13: 9780691012131
• ISBN10: 069101213X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-05-01
• Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr

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.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii	(2)
Acknowledgments	xv
Part I. Volcanoes and Eruptions	1	(86)
Chapter 1. Politicians and Volcanoes	3	(26)
A Modern Tragedy: Mount St. Helens	7	(20)
An Eruption Carnival Turned Tragic	7	(6)
Far from the Volcano	13	(3)
The Costs of the Eruption	16	(1)
The Eruption Setting	17	(1)
Tracking the Eruption	18	(9)
References	27	(2)
Chapter 2. Why Do Volcanoes Erupt?	29	(12)
From the Tiny Molecule, Giants Grow	34	(4)
Volcano Country	38	(2)
References	40	(1)
Chapter 3. Volcanoes and Eruptions	41	(24)
Types of Volcanoes	43	(5)
Composite Volcanoes	43	(2)
Domes	45	(1)
Calderas	46	(1)
Cinder Cones (Scoria Cones)	47	(1)
Maars	47	(1)
Shield Volcanoes	47	(1)
Volcanic Eruptions	48	(5)
Gas Eruptions	48	(2)
Hawaiian Eruptions	50	(1)
Strombolian Eruptions	51	(1)
Plinian Eruptions	51	(2)
Two Eruption Types	53	(9)
Mount Pinatubo's Big Surprise	53	(4)
Hawaiian Eruptions	57	(5)
References	62	(3)
Chapter 4. Poseidon and Pluto: Water and Volcanoes	65	(22)
Bikini and the Base Surge	69	(2)
Taal Volcano	71	(2)
Maar Volcanoes and Cinder Cones	73	(4)
A Little-Known Frontier: Volcanic Eruptions under the Sea	77	(9)
Deep-Sea Eruptions	81	(3)
Black Pillows on the Seafloor	84	(2)
References	86	(1)
Part II. The Hazards of Volcanoes	87	(88)
Chapter 5. Volcanic Hurricanes	89	(26)
What Happens inside a Pyroclastic Flow?	94	(1)
What Goes Up Must Come Down	95	(1)
Mount Unzen and Merapi	95	(7)
Firecloud Rock: A Detective Story	102	(3)
Calderas and Pyroclastic Flows	105	(6)
Volcanism after a Caldera Collapse	111	(1)
World War II and the Battle for a Caldera	111	(3)
References	114	(1)
Chapter 6. Falling Volcanoes and Floods of Mud	115	(18)
A Mountain Fell	117	(6)
Debris Avalanches and Slides beneath the Sea	123	(1)
Volcanic Debris Flows (Lahars)	123	(6)
Potential Destruction from Mount Rainier	129	(3)
References	132	(1)
Chapter 7. Lava Flows	133	(14)
Stopping a Lava Flow	137	(2)
Ditches, Walls, and Dams	137	(1)
Cooling Lava with Water	138	(1)
Interrupting a Lava Flow	139	(1)
The 1991-1992 Eruption of Mount Etna	140	(2)
Lava Put to Use	142	(2)
A Ride on a Lava Flow	144	(2)
References	146	(1)
Chapter 8. Never Sail through an Eruption Cloud	147	(16)
A Sailing Ship and a Jet	149	(4)
Other Encounters with Ash Clouds	153	(2)
Jetliners	155	(2)
Ash and Aircraft Safety	157	(4)
References	161	(2)
Chapter 9. The Breath of Volcanoes	163	(12)
Effects of Volcanic Gases	165	(5)
The Year without a Summer	170	(3)
References	173	(2)
Part III. Myths and Benefits of Volcanoes	175	(84)
Chapter 10. Sometimes the Gods Are Angry	177	(22)
Volcanoes Assault the Senses	179	(2)
Changing Ideas from Old to New	181	(1)
Thera (Santorini): Its Influence on the Modern World	182	(5)
Volcanoes and the Underworld	187	(2)
Divine Intervention	189	(5)
The Making of a Myth	194	(2)
The Emergence of Volcanology as a Science	196	(1)
Science and Modern Ritual	197	(1)
References	198	(1)
Chapter 11. Volcanoes for Consumers	199	(18)
Skiing and Hot Baths	201	(1)
Construction Materials and Kitty Litter	202	(9)
The Grand Tour	211	(3)
Modern Volcano Tourism	214	(2)
References	216	(1)
Chapter 12. Volcanic Treasures: Steam, Gold, and Diamonds	217	(14)
Steam	219	(5)
Oil and Volcanoes Don't Mix...or Do They?	224	(1)
Volcanoes and Prospectors' Dreams	225	(2)
Volcanic Gemstones	227	(1)
References	228	(3)
Chapter 13. From Ashes Grow the Vines	231	(14)
The Allure of Volcanoes	237	(3)
Farms	237	(2)
Coffee Plantations	239	(1)
Fertility and Rebirth	240	(1)
Recovery from Vulcan's Devastation	241	(3)
References	244	(1)
Chapter 14. Volcanic Rocks: Guardians of History	245	(14)
Volcanic Ash: The Nearly Perfect Preservative	247	(1)
Human Origins in the Ethiopian Rift	248	(3)
Preserving Historic Cultures	251	(6)
References	257	(2)
Part IV. Living near Volcanoes	259	(28)
Chapter 15. Mitigation and Survival	261	(26)
Assessing the Hazards: The Pulse of Volcanoes	266	(2)
What Is a Disaster?	268	(4)
The Lesson of Armero	272	(3)
Mount Pinatubo: A Success Story	275	(4)
Volcanologists on the Front Lines	279	(5)
The Tragedy at Galeras Volcano	279	(5)
Dante and the Volcano	284	(1)
References	285	(2)
Appendix 1. The Volcano Traveler	287	(25)
Canada and United States	288	(9)
Mexico and Central America	297	(3)
Composite Volcanoes of Costa Rica	300	(1)
South America	301	(1)
New Zealand	302	(2)
Indonesia	304	(1)
Philippines	305	(1)
Japan	305	(3)
Italy	308	(3)
Greece	311	(1)
Appendix 2. Metric Conversion Table	312	(1)
Index	313