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'Volcanoes and the Environment' Book Review
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From: Janet Tanaka <jmtanaka@xxxxxxxxx>
VOLCANOES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Joan Marti' and Gerald Ernest, Eds.
Cambridge Univ. Press, New York, 2005
467 pages, many references, tables,
and some photos. US$90
This is your basic Volcanology 101 textbook. If I were teaching a class that
had anything to do with volcanoes, it would be required reading. It's jam-
packed with information about volcanoes--just about anything a student of
college age up would want or need to know about volcanoes.
The only thing missing is a glossary of terms for readers that are familiar
only with a limited area of volcano science. Geophysicists might need economic
and social terms. Aspiring science writers (fact or fiction) need to understand
geochemistry terms. And environmental science students, aspiring urban-regional
planners and so on...may need some "translation" of the "hard science"
language..
The editors have collected 15 chapters from 19-plus volcano scientists (both
social and physical scientists). each chapter with copious references. They
are as follows.
Understanding the physical behavior of volcanoes.
Volcano hazards.
Anticipating volcanic eruptions.
Volcanoes and the geological cycle.
Effects of volcanic eruptions on the atmosphere and climate.
Volcanoes, hydrothermal venting, and the origin of life.
Volcanism and mass extinctions.
Effects of modern volcanic eruptions on vegetation.
Animals and volcanoes: survival and revival.
Human impacts of volcanoes.
Volcanoes, geothermal energy, and the environment.
Volcano-hosted ore deposits.
Industrial uses of volcanic materials.
Volcanoes, society, and culture.
Volcanoes and the economy.
As a geohazard management planning consultant now retired, I would have loved
to have had this book. And last, Volcanoes and the Environment should be
required reading for writers of disaster fiction, TV scripts, and movies
featuring volcanoes.....
But then we wouldn't have the fun of laughing at Hollywood's horrendous goofs!
Reviewed by Janet M.C. Tanaka
Puget Sound AWG
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