From aa to Yellowstone, if it's got anything at all to do with earthquakes or volcanoes, you're likely to find it within the pages of the updated Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes from science journalist David Ritchie and geology professor Alexander Gates.

The 1,000-plus alphabetical listings range from historical volcanoes and quakes (both famous and obscure) to entries on specific seismic phenomenon (everything from parasitic cones to jökulhlaup) and general geological principles, including a few excellent in-depth discussions on topics like plate tectonics and seismic wave types. The encyclopaedia also includes a lengthy bibliography, a list of Internet resources, a chronological listing of notable quakes and eruptions, and a handful of unforgettable eyewitness accounts (after the eruption of Vesuvius in A.D.79, apparently Pliny the Elder's party went out "having pillows tied upon their heads with napkins; and this was their whole defence against the storm of stones that fell around them").

With its clear, newspaper-style entries, the Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes will be navigable even to geo-newbies, but its a-to-z organisation makes it more useful as a reference than as a stand-alone text. Then again, given its liberal cross-referencing, you can easily find yourself led onto a long, enjoyable read. --Paul Hughes

I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!, 05 May 1999
Hi, I really like this book. It's bben helpfully to me for my carrer. Thanks, Michelle Trzecisnki

Excellent introduction., 16 Feb 1998
In a unique and very handy A-Z format, here in one volume is all the information you are ever likely to need on these most dramatic natural phenomena.
The great earthquakes and famous volcanic eruptions are comprehensively covered, with clear explanations of the geologic concepts and terms, interesting photos and maps, and thumbnail biographies of leading figures in the study of these majestic forces of nature. A particularly interesting feature is the inclusion of each state with an evaluation of its seismic potential. (There are some surprises here). Highly recommended as a very useful single-volume introduction for libraries and interested individuals.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!, 05 May 1999
Hi, I really like this book. It's bben helpfully to me for my carrer. Thanks, Michelle Trzecisnki

Excellent introduction., 16 Feb 1998
In a unique and very handy A-Z format, here in one volume is all the information you are ever likely to need on these most dramatic natural phenomena.
The great earthquakes and famous volcanic eruptions are comprehensively covered, with clear explanations of the geologic concepts and terms, interesting photos and maps, and thumbnail biographies of leading figures in the study of these majestic forces of nature. A particularly interesting feature is the inclusion of each state with an evaluation of its seismic potential. (There are some surprises here). Highly recommended as a very useful single-volume introduction for libraries and interested individuals.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

Lava floweth like rain, 29 Jan 2006
de Boer and Sanders have crafted here the most extraordinary, beguiling and toposcopic deluge of lavantine proportions, cross referencing fully and passionately the intrinsic tourniquet that is the Earth's magmatic palisade.

Their erstwhile account amounts to a salacious, literary love-making, the seeping lubricanza cascading onto the page as tepid poetry in the story of volcanic humanity. The incumbent offspring is, of course, birthed within the final few stanzas, the new born of knowledge breaking the book's narrow hips and squeezing its bloody way into your cranial womb.

As Geredia Stanton said; "Imdemnus magmatic deus litar."

An excellent read.

The Vibrating String, 07 Apr 2002
For someone who enjoys both history and natural science, "Volcanoes in Humany History" is a happy marriage. It's not exactly a page-turner, because the authors don't try to be too dramatic. They do, however, write simply and clearly, letting the eruptions and their consequences speak for themselves.

The authors' thesis is that each major eruption produces a "vibrating string" of historical effects, ranging from the eruption itself, to the immediate aftermath, to climate change, famine and epidemic, to economic and ecological revival, and finally to cultural effects that can span centuries.

The book covers nine volcanic systems, their eruptions and the resulting historical fallout: The Hawaiian Islands, where the clash between lava and ocean gave rise to a colorful mythology; Thera, whose catastrophic eruption in the Bronze Age may have destroyed Minoan civilization and produced the legend of Atlantis; Mount Vesuvius, whose eruption in 79 AD entombed and preserved the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum; Iceland, whose position above a magma plume and the spreading ocean floor gave rise to horrific eruptions and grim legends; Mount Tambora, the Indonesian volcano that caused the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816; Krakatau, whose tidal waves killed tens of thousand of people in 1883; Mount Pelee, whose pyroclastic flows killed the 30,000 citizens of St. Pierre in an instant in 1902; Tristan da Cunha, whose eruption displaced an idyllic island society; and Mount St. Helens, which in 1980 reminded the Pacific Northwest that "the Giants are only asleep."

If you enjoy "Volcanoes in Human History," you'll probably like these books as well:

"Catastrophe," by David Keys, which theorizes that a volcanic eruption in 536 AD caused the collapse of civilizations around the globe and brought on the Dark Ages in Europe.

"Unearthing Atlantis," by Charles Pellegrino, which argues that the eruption of Thera gave rise to the legend of Atlantis.

"Return to Sodom and Gomorrah," by Charles Pellegrino, which speculates (among other things) that the eruption of Thera gave rise to the Biblical stories of the Exodus.

I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!, 05 May 1999
Hi, I really like this book. It's bben helpfully to me for my carrer. Thanks, Michelle Trzecisnki

Excellent introduction., 16 Feb 1998
In a unique and very handy A-Z format, here in one volume is all the information you are ever likely to need on these most dramatic natural phenomena.
The great earthquakes and famous volcanic eruptions are comprehensively covered, with clear explanations of the geologic concepts and terms, interesting photos and maps, and thumbnail biographies of leading figures in the study of these majestic forces of nature. A particularly interesting feature is the inclusion of each state with an evaluation of its seismic potential. (There are some surprises here). Highly recommended as a very useful single-volume introduction for libraries and interested individuals.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

Lava floweth like rain, 29 Jan 2006
de Boer and Sanders have crafted here the most extraordinary, beguiling and toposcopic deluge of lavantine proportions, cross referencing fully and passionately the intrinsic tourniquet that is the Earth's magmatic palisade.

Their erstwhile account amounts to a salacious, literary love-making, the seeping lubricanza cascading onto the page as tepid poetry in the story of volcanic humanity. The incumbent offspring is, of course, birthed within the final few stanzas, the new born of knowledge breaking the book's narrow hips and squeezing its bloody way into your cranial womb.

As Geredia Stanton said; "Imdemnus magmatic deus litar."

An excellent read.

The Vibrating String, 07 Apr 2002
For someone who enjoys both history and natural science, "Volcanoes in Humany History" is a happy marriage. It's not exactly a page-turner, because the authors don't try to be too dramatic. They do, however, write simply and clearly, letting the eruptions and their consequences speak for themselves.

The authors' thesis is that each major eruption produces a "vibrating string" of historical effects, ranging from the eruption itself, to the immediate aftermath, to climate change, famine and epidemic, to economic and ecological revival, and finally to cultural effects that can span centuries.

The book covers nine volcanic systems, their eruptions and the resulting historical fallout: The Hawaiian Islands, where the clash between lava and ocean gave rise to a colorful mythology; Thera, whose catastrophic eruption in the Bronze Age may have destroyed Minoan civilization and produced the legend of Atlantis; Mount Vesuvius, whose eruption in 79 AD entombed and preserved the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum; Iceland, whose position above a magma plume and the spreading ocean floor gave rise to horrific eruptions and grim legends; Mount Tambora, the Indonesian volcano that caused the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816; Krakatau, whose tidal waves killed tens of thousand of people in 1883; Mount Pelee, whose pyroclastic flows killed the 30,000 citizens of St. Pierre in an instant in 1902; Tristan da Cunha, whose eruption displaced an idyllic island society; and Mount St. Helens, which in 1980 reminded the Pacific Northwest that "the Giants are only asleep."

If you enjoy "Volcanoes in Human History," you'll probably like these books as well:

"Catastrophe," by David Keys, which theorizes that a volcanic eruption in 536 AD caused the collapse of civilizations around the globe and brought on the Dark Ages in Europe.

"Unearthing Atlantis," by Charles Pellegrino, which argues that the eruption of Thera gave rise to the legend of Atlantis.

"Return to Sodom and Gomorrah," by Charles Pellegrino, which speculates (among other things) that the eruption of Thera gave rise to the Biblical stories of the Exodus.

Excellent photography, interesting science, 13 Dec 2004
An excellent beginner's look at volcanology. Amazing photographs which show the sheer scale and beauty of volcanoes, and the lengths scientists will got to in order to get close to them

Spectacular Photography, 17 Jan 2003
This is a fantastic book with large, glossy, breath-taking images of all aspects of volcanoes. From close ups of lava flows to massive panoramas.

It doesn't go into technical geological information on volcanoes - it just gives you the chance to marvel at their awsome power and beauty. If you want it as a coffee table book, make sure you have a big coffee table!

I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!, 05 May 1999
Hi, I really like this book. It's bben helpfully to me for my carrer. Thanks, Michelle Trzecisnki

Excellent introduction., 16 Feb 1998
In a unique and very handy A-Z format, here in one volume is all the information you are ever likely to need on these most dramatic natural phenomena.
The great earthquakes and famous volcanic eruptions are comprehensively covered, with clear explanations of the geologic concepts and terms, interesting photos and maps, and thumbnail biographies of leading figures in the study of these majestic forces of nature. A particularly interesting feature is the inclusion of each state with an evaluation of its seismic potential. (There are some surprises here). Highly recommended as a very useful single-volume introduction for libraries and interested individuals.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

Lava floweth like rain, 29 Jan 2006
de Boer and Sanders have crafted here the most extraordinary, beguiling and toposcopic deluge of lavantine proportions, cross referencing fully and passionately the intrinsic tourniquet that is the Earth's magmatic palisade.

Their erstwhile account amounts to a salacious, literary love-making, the seeping lubricanza cascading onto the page as tepid poetry in the story of volcanic humanity. The incumbent offspring is, of course, birthed within the final few stanzas, the new born of knowledge breaking the book's narrow hips and squeezing its bloody way into your cranial womb.

As Geredia Stanton said; "Imdemnus magmatic deus litar."

An excellent read.

The Vibrating String, 07 Apr 2002
For someone who enjoys both history and natural science, "Volcanoes in Humany History" is a happy marriage. It's not exactly a page-turner, because the authors don't try to be too dramatic. They do, however, write simply and clearly, letting the eruptions and their consequences speak for themselves.

The authors' thesis is that each major eruption produces a "vibrating string" of historical effects, ranging from the eruption itself, to the immediate aftermath, to climate change, famine and epidemic, to economic and ecological revival, and finally to cultural effects that can span centuries.

The book covers nine volcanic systems, their eruptions and the resulting historical fallout: The Hawaiian Islands, where the clash between lava and ocean gave rise to a colorful mythology; Thera, whose catastrophic eruption in the Bronze Age may have destroyed Minoan civilization and produced the legend of Atlantis; Mount Vesuvius, whose eruption in 79 AD entombed and preserved the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum; Iceland, whose position above a magma plume and the spreading ocean floor gave rise to horrific eruptions and grim legends; Mount Tambora, the Indonesian volcano that caused the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816; Krakatau, whose tidal waves killed tens of thousand of people in 1883; Mount Pelee, whose pyroclastic flows killed the 30,000 citizens of St. Pierre in an instant in 1902; Tristan da Cunha, whose eruption displaced an idyllic island society; and Mount St. Helens, which in 1980 reminded the Pacific Northwest that "the Giants are only asleep."

If you enjoy "Volcanoes in Human History," you'll probably like these books as well:

"Catastrophe," by David Keys, which theorizes that a volcanic eruption in 536 AD caused the collapse of civilizations around the globe and brought on the Dark Ages in Europe.

"Unearthing Atlantis," by Charles Pellegrino, which argues that the eruption of Thera gave rise to the legend of Atlantis.

"Return to Sodom and Gomorrah," by Charles Pellegrino, which speculates (among other things) that the eruption of Thera gave rise to the Biblical stories of the Exodus.

Excellent photography, interesting science, 13 Dec 2004
An excellent beginner's look at volcanology. Amazing photographs which show the sheer scale and beauty of volcanoes, and the lengths scientists will got to in order to get close to them

Spectacular Photography, 17 Jan 2003
This is a fantastic book with large, glossy, breath-taking images of all aspects of volcanoes. From close ups of lava flows to massive panoramas.

It doesn't go into technical geological information on volcanoes - it just gives you the chance to marvel at their awsome power and beauty. If you want it as a coffee table book, make sure you have a big coffee table!

Alien Volcanoes: don't forget the artist!, 12 Jun 2008
I was surprised (and disappointed) that the author is given only as 'RMC Lopes'. The authors are clearly identified on the cover as 'Rosaly M.C.Lopes and Michael W. Carroll'. Michael not only co-wrote the text, but as a prominent space artist he provided numerous excellent paintings of scenes it is not yet possible to photograph. These are therefore essential to this book, and also make it not only better to look at but enhance the understanding of the reader. This is an excellent treatise on the thermally active planets and satellites of our Solar System covering volcanoes (extinct and active), vents, geysers and cryovulcanism, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.
David A. Hardy, FBIS, FIAAA (co-author/illustrator of THE FIRES WITHIN, FUTURES: 50 YEARS IN SPACE, etc.)

I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!, 05 May 1999
Hi, I really like this book. It's bben helpfully to me for my carrer. Thanks, Michelle Trzecisnki

Excellent introduction., 16 Feb 1998
In a unique and very handy A-Z format, here in one volume is all the information you are ever likely to need on these most dramatic natural phenomena.
The great earthquakes and famous volcanic eruptions are comprehensively covered, with clear explanations of the geologic concepts and terms, interesting photos and maps, and thumbnail biographies of leading figures in the study of these majestic forces of nature. A particularly interesting feature is the inclusion of each state with an evaluation of its seismic potential. (There are some surprises here). Highly recommended as a very useful single-volume introduction for libraries and interested individuals.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

Lava floweth like rain, 29 Jan 2006
de Boer and Sanders have crafted here the most extraordinary, beguiling and toposcopic deluge of lavantine proportions, cross referencing fully and passionately the intrinsic tourniquet that is the Earth's magmatic palisade.

Their erstwhile account amounts to a salacious, literary love-making, the seeping lubricanza cascading onto the page as tepid poetry in the story of volcanic humanity. The incumbent offspring is, of course, birthed within the final few stanzas, the new born of knowledge breaking the book's narrow hips and squeezing its bloody way into your cranial womb.

As Geredia Stanton said; "Imdemnus magmatic deus litar."

An excellent read.

The Vibrating String, 07 Apr 2002
For someone who enjoys both history and natural science, "Volcanoes in Humany History" is a happy marriage. It's not exactly a page-turner, because the authors don't try to be too dramatic. They do, however, write simply and clearly, letting the eruptions and their consequences speak for themselves.

The authors' thesis is that each major eruption produces a "vibrating string" of historical effects, ranging from the eruption itself, to the immediate aftermath, to climate change, famine and epidemic, to economic and ecological revival, and finally to cultural effects that can span centuries.

The book covers nine volcanic systems, their eruptions and the resulting historical fallout: The Hawaiian Islands, where the clash between lava and ocean gave rise to a colorful mythology; Thera, whose catastrophic eruption in the Bronze Age may have destroyed Minoan civilization and produced the legend of Atlantis; Mount Vesuvius, whose eruption in 79 AD entombed and preserved the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum; Iceland, whose position above a magma plume and the spreading ocean floor gave rise to horrific eruptions and grim legends; Mount Tambora, the Indonesian volcano that caused the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816; Krakatau, whose tidal waves killed tens of thousand of people in 1883; Mount Pelee, whose pyroclastic flows killed the 30,000 citizens of St. Pierre in an instant in 1902; Tristan da Cunha, whose eruption displaced an idyllic island society; and Mount St. Helens, which in 1980 reminded the Pacific Northwest that "the Giants are only asleep."

If you enjoy "Volcanoes in Human History," you'll probably like these books as well:

"Catastrophe," by David Keys, which theorizes that a volcanic eruption in 536 AD caused the collapse of civilizations around the globe and brought on the Dark Ages in Europe.

"Unearthing Atlantis," by Charles Pellegrino, which argues that the eruption of Thera gave rise to the legend of Atlantis.

"Return to Sodom and Gomorrah," by Charles Pellegrino, which speculates (among other things) that the eruption of Thera gave rise to the Biblical stories of the Exodus.

Excellent photography, interesting science, 13 Dec 2004
An excellent beginner's look at volcanology. Amazing photographs which show the sheer scale and beauty of volcanoes, and the lengths scientists will got to in order to get close to them

Spectacular Photography, 17 Jan 2003
This is a fantastic book with large, glossy, breath-taking images of all aspects of volcanoes. From close ups of lava flows to massive panoramas.

It doesn't go into technical geological information on volcanoes - it just gives you the chance to marvel at their awsome power and beauty. If you want it as a coffee table book, make sure you have a big coffee table!

Alien Volcanoes: don't forget the artist!, 12 Jun 2008
I was surprised (and disappointed) that the author is given only as 'RMC Lopes'. The authors are clearly identified on the cover as 'Rosaly M.C.Lopes and Michael W. Carroll'. Michael not only co-wrote the text, but as a prominent space artist he provided numerous excellent paintings of scenes it is not yet possible to photograph. These are therefore essential to this book, and also make it not only better to look at but enhance the understanding of the reader. This is an excellent treatise on the thermally active planets and satellites of our Solar System covering volcanoes (extinct and active), vents, geysers and cryovulcanism, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.
David A. Hardy, FBIS, FIAAA (co-author/illustrator of THE FIRES WITHIN, FUTURES: 50 YEARS IN SPACE, etc.)

The Days the Earth Moved, 29 Jun 2008
"Apocalypse" is a well-written and fascinating discussion of the role that earthquakes may have played in the Bronze Age history of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Nur is a geophysicist who argues that archaeologists are too ready to reject earthquakes as a cause of the widespread devastation that is sometimes found at ancient sites. According to Nur, the archaeologist's preferred interpretation is usually that invading armies caused the destruction.

Nur admits that this interpretation may be right in many cases, but persuasively argues that archaeologists too often ignore evidence that the real cause of the devastation might have been an earthquake. Nur brings a geophysicist's perspective to the archaeologist's world, observing that many ancient sites (such as Mycenae) are affected by significant fault lines that pass directly through ancient ruins, sometimes visibly offsetting walls and staircases. Others ruins contain the remains of people killed thousands of years ago by collapsing walls or ceilings--the skeletons bear the telltale signs of the crushing injuries typical of earthquake victims.

Nur suggests that some ancient abandonments and migrations might have been triggered by earthquakes. For example, some of the devastation usually attributed to the mysterious Sea Peoples may have been caused by earthquakes, either because the earthquakes caused the destruction outright, or because they severely damaged fortifications and killed large numbers of people, leaving cities vulnerable to opportunistic invaders.

Archaeologists have tended to dismiss the earthquake explanation for sometimes widespread devastation in the ancient world because much of it (such as the events around 1200BC that preciptated the Greek Dark Ages) appears to have happened suddenly over an implausibly wide area for an earthquake. But Nur argues that very widepsread damage could have been caused by either a single very large earthquake, or by an "earthquake storm" (a cascade of earthquakes caused when one quake increases pressure on another fault, leading to a series of events). Both of these possibilities are fair game from the perspective of a geophysicist, and Nur urges that archaeologists should consider the possibility carefully when interpreting ancient sites.

Nur's book is an enjoyable mix of geology, geophysics, ancient history, geology, and forensics, but it also contains a warning. What happened in the Mediterranean and the Middle East in the ancient world can happen again, as it did during the Jericho Earthquake of 1927. If archaeologists and geophysicists can learn from each other, they are more likely to spot major earthquake hazards that might otherwise be overlooked.

I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!, 05 May 1999
Hi, I really like this book. It's bben helpfully to me for my carrer. Thanks, Michelle Trzecisnki

Excellent introduction., 16 Feb 1998
In a unique and very handy A-Z format, here in one volume is all the information you are ever likely to need on these most dramatic natural phenomena.
The great earthquakes and famous volcanic eruptions are comprehensively covered, with clear explanations of the geologic concepts and terms, interesting photos and maps, and thumbnail biographies of leading figures in the study of these majestic forces of nature. A particularly interesting feature is the inclusion of each state with an evaluation of its seismic potential. (There are some surprises here). Highly recommended as a very useful single-volume introduction for libraries and interested individuals.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

Lava floweth like rain, 29 Jan 2006
de Boer and Sanders have crafted here the most extraordinary, beguiling and toposcopic deluge of lavantine proportions, cross referencing fully and passionately the intrinsic tourniquet that is the Earth's magmatic palisade.

Their erstwhile account amounts to a salacious, literary love-making, the seeping lubricanza cascading onto the page as tepid poetry in the story of volcanic humanity. The incumbent offspring is, of course, birthed within the final few stanzas, the new born of knowledge breaking the book's narrow hips and squeezing its bloody way into your cranial womb.

As Geredia Stanton said; "Imdemnus magmatic deus litar."

An excellent read.

The Vibrating String, 07 Apr 2002
For someone who enjoys both history and natural science, "Volcanoes in Humany History" is a happy marriage. It's not exactly a page-turner, because the authors don't try to be too dramatic. They do, however, write simply and clearly, letting the eruptions and their consequences speak for themselves.

The authors' thesis is that each major eruption produces a "vibrating string" of historical effects, ranging from the eruption itself, to the immediate aftermath, to climate change, famine and epidemic, to economic and ecological revival, and finally to cultural effects that can span centuries.

The book covers nine volcanic systems, their eruptions and the resulting historical fallout: The Hawaiian Islands, where the clash between lava and ocean gave rise to a colorful mythology; Thera, whose catastrophic eruption in the Bronze Age may have destroyed Minoan civilization and produced the legend of Atlantis; Mount Vesuvius, whose eruption in 79 AD entombed and preserved the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum; Iceland, whose position above a magma plume and the spreading ocean floor gave rise to horrific eruptions and grim legends; Mount Tambora, the Indonesian volcano that caused the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816; Krakatau, whose tidal waves killed tens of thousand of people in 1883; Mount Pelee, whose pyroclastic flows killed the 30,000 citizens of St. Pierre in an instant in 1902; Tristan da Cunha, whose eruption displaced an idyllic island society; and Mount St. Helens, which in 1980 reminded the Pacific Northwest that "the Giants are only asleep."

If you enjoy "Volcanoes in Human History," you'll probably like these books as well:

"Catastrophe," by David Keys, which theorizes that a volcanic eruption in 536 AD caused the collapse of civilizations around the globe and brought on the Dark Ages in Europe.

"Unearthing Atlantis," by Charles Pellegrino, which argues that the eruption of Thera gave rise to the legend of Atlantis.

"Return to Sodom and Gomorrah," by Charles Pellegrino, which speculates (among other things) that the eruption of Thera gave rise to the Biblical stories of the Exodus.

Excellent photography, interesting science, 13 Dec 2004
An excellent beginner's look at volcanology. Amazing photographs which show the sheer scale and beauty of volcanoes, and the lengths scientists will got to in order to get close to them

Spectacular Photography, 17 Jan 2003
This is a fantastic book with large, glossy, breath-taking images of all aspects of volcanoes. From close ups of lava flows to massive panoramas.

It doesn't go into technical geological information on volcanoes - it just gives you the chance to marvel at their awsome power and beauty. If you want it as a coffee table book, make sure you have a big coffee table!

Alien Volcanoes: don't forget the artist!, 12 Jun 2008
I was surprised (and disappointed) that the author is given only as 'RMC Lopes'. The authors are clearly identified on the cover as 'Rosaly M.C.Lopes and Michael W. Carroll'. Michael not only co-wrote the text, but as a prominent space artist he provided numerous excellent paintings of scenes it is not yet possible to photograph. These are therefore essential to this book, and also make it not only better to look at but enhance the understanding of the reader. This is an excellent treatise on the thermally active planets and satellites of our Solar System covering volcanoes (extinct and active), vents, geysers and cryovulcanism, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.
David A. Hardy, FBIS, FIAAA (co-author/illustrator of THE FIRES WITHIN, FUTURES: 50 YEARS IN SPACE, etc.)

The Days the Earth Moved, 29 Jun 2008
"Apocalypse" is a well-written and fascinating discussion of the role that earthquakes may have played in the Bronze Age history of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Nur is a geophysicist who argues that archaeologists are too ready to reject earthquakes as a cause of the widespread devastation that is sometimes found at ancient sites. According to Nur, the archaeologist's preferred interpretation is usually that invading armies caused the destruction.

Nur admits that this interpretation may be right in many cases, but persuasively argues that archaeologists too often ignore evidence that the real cause of the devastation might have been an earthquake. Nur brings a geophysicist's perspective to the archaeologist's world, observing that many ancient sites (such as Mycenae) are affected by significant fault lines that pass directly through ancient ruins, sometimes visibly offsetting walls and staircases. Others ruins contain the remains of people killed thousands of years ago by collapsing walls or ceilings--the skeletons bear the telltale signs of the crushing injuries typical of earthquake victims.

Nur suggests that some ancient abandonments and migrations might have been triggered by earthquakes. For example, some of the devastation usually attributed to the mysterious Sea Peoples may have been caused by earthquakes, either because the earthquakes caused the destruction outright, or because they severely damaged fortifications and killed large numbers of people, leaving cities vulnerable to opportunistic invaders.

Archaeologists have tended to dismiss the earthquake explanation for sometimes widespread devastation in the ancient world because much of it (such as the events around 1200BC that preciptated the Greek Dark Ages) appears to have happened suddenly over an implausibly wide area for an earthquake. But Nur argues that very widepsread damage could have been caused by either a single very large earthquake, or by an "earthquake storm" (a cascade of earthquakes caused when one quake increases pressure on another fault, leading to a series of events). Both of these possibilities are fair game from the perspective of a geophysicist, and Nur urges that archaeologists should consider the possibility carefully when interpreting ancient sites.

Nur's book is an enjoyable mix of geology, geophysics, ancient history, geology, and forensics, but it also contains a warning. What happened in the Mediterranean and the Middle East in the ancient world can happen again, as it did during the Jericho Earthquake of 1927. If archaeologists and geophysicists can learn from each other, they are more likely to spot major earthquake hazards that might otherwise be overlooked.

Neither too little or too much, 28 Apr 1998
Neither too little or too much, Volcanoes: Crucibles of Change is the best volume I have ever read on Volcanology. Written for the intelligent layperson, the book never talks down to its reader or loses them in mult-semicolon sentances of unintelligble jargon as so many other books by scientists do. If you want the latest theories on volcanoes, this is th book for you. I was especially surprised by how many dormant/active volcanoes there are in the lower 48. And as one who has flown from the U.S. to Japan, the chapter on planes and volcanoes was both fascinating and scary.

Great Book, 05 Apr 1998
A brilliant book for any volcanoholic. I am a geology student hoping to proceed to volcanology, and thoroughly enjoyed this book just for the sake of a good read on a great subject.

A terrific book about volcanoes and people., 08 Mar 1998
This book is enjoyable to read: a great narrative that covers a wide range of topics about volcanoes: famous eruptions, effects on climate, how they provide resources, how they can adversely affect us, and more. The text has a lot of depth, but is cohesive and flows well. The diagrams are nicely done too. At the end of the book, the reader finds many helpful resources for volcano tourism.

I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!, 05 May 1999
Hi, I really like this book. It's bben helpfully to me for my carrer. Thanks, Michelle Trzecisnki

Excellent introduction., 16 Feb 1998
In a unique and very handy A-Z format, here in one volume is all the information you are ever likely to need on these most dramatic natural phenomena.
The great earthquakes and famous volcanic eruptions are comprehensively covered, with clear explanations of the geologic concepts and terms, interesting photos and maps, and thumbnail biographies of leading figures in the study of these majestic forces of nature. A particularly interesting feature is the inclusion of each state with an evaluation of its seismic potential. (There are some surprises here). Highly recommended as a very useful single-volume introduction for libraries and interested individuals.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

Lava floweth like rain, 29 Jan 2006
de Boer and Sanders have crafted here the most extraordinary, beguiling and toposcopic deluge of lavantine proportions, cross referencing fully and passionately the intrinsic tourniquet that is the Earth's magmatic palisade.

Their erstwhile account amounts to a salacious, literary love-making, the seeping lubricanza cascading onto the page as tepid poetry in the story of volcanic humanity. The incumbent offspring is, of course, birthed within the final few stanzas, the new born of knowledge breaking the book's narrow hips and squeezing its bloody way into your cranial womb.

As Geredia Stanton said; "Imdemnus magmatic deus litar."

An excellent read.

The Vibrating String, 07 Apr 2002
For someone who enjoys both history and natural science, "Volcanoes in Humany History" is a happy marriage. It's not exactly a page-turner, because the authors don't try to be too dramatic. They do, however, write simply and clearly, letting the eruptions and their consequences speak for themselves.

The authors' thesis is that each major eruption produces a "vibrating string" of historical effects, ranging from the eruption itself, to the immediate aftermath, to climate change, famine and epidemic, to economic and ecological revival, and finally to cultural effects that can span centuries.

The book covers nine volcanic systems, their eruptions and the resulting historical fallout: The Hawaiian Islands, where the clash between lava and ocean gave rise to a colorful mythology; Thera, whose catastrophic eruption in the Bronze Age may have destroyed Minoan civilization and produced the legend of Atlantis; Mount Vesuvius, whose eruption in 79 AD entombed and preserved the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum; Iceland, whose position above a magma plume and the spreading ocean floor gave rise to horrific eruptions and grim legends; Mount Tambora, the Indonesian volcano that caused the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816; Krakatau, whose tidal waves killed tens of thousand of people in 1883; Mount Pelee, whose pyroclastic flows killed the 30,000 citizens of St. Pierre in an instant in 1902; Tristan da Cunha, whose eruption displaced an idyllic island society; and Mount St. Helens, which in 1980 reminded the Pacific Northwest that "the Giants are only asleep."

If you enjoy "Volcanoes in Human History," you'll probably like these books as well:

"Catastrophe," by David Keys, which theorizes that a volcanic eruption in 536 AD caused the collapse of civilizations around the globe and brought on the Dark Ages in Europe.

"Unearthing Atlantis," by Charles Pellegrino, which argues that the eruption of Thera gave rise to the legend of Atlantis.

"Return to Sodom and Gomorrah," by Charles Pellegrino, which speculates (among other things) that the eruption of Thera gave rise to the Biblical stories of the Exodus.

Excellent photography, interesting science, 13 Dec 2004
An excellent beginner's look at volcanology. Amazing photographs which show the sheer scale and beauty of volcanoes, and the lengths scientists will got to in order to get close to them

Spectacular Photography, 17 Jan 2003
This is a fantastic book with large, glossy, breath-taking images of all aspects of volcanoes. From close ups of lava flows to massive panoramas.

It doesn't go into technical geological information on volcanoes - it just gives you the chance to marvel at their awsome power and beauty. If you want it as a coffee table book, make sure you have a big coffee table!

Alien Volcanoes: don't forget the artist!, 12 Jun 2008
I was surprised (and disappointed) that the author is given only as 'RMC Lopes'. The authors are clearly identified on the cover as 'Rosaly M.C.Lopes and Michael W. Carroll'. Michael not only co-wrote the text, but as a prominent space artist he provided numerous excellent paintings of scenes it is not yet possible to photograph. These are therefore essential to this book, and also make it not only better to look at but enhance the understanding of the reader. This is an excellent treatise on the thermally active planets and satellites of our Solar System covering volcanoes (extinct and active), vents, geysers and cryovulcanism, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.
David A. Hardy, FBIS, FIAAA (co-author/illustrator of THE FIRES WITHIN, FUTURES: 50 YEARS IN SPACE, etc.)

The Days the Earth Moved, 29 Jun 2008
"Apocalypse" is a well-written and fascinating discussion of the role that earthquakes may have played in the Bronze Age history of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Nur is a geophysicist who argues that archaeologists are too ready to reject earthquakes as a cause of the widespread devastation that is sometimes found at ancient sites. According to Nur, the archaeologist's preferred interpretation is usually that invading armies caused the destruction.

Nur admits that this interpretation may be right in many cases, but persuasively argues that archaeologists too often ignore evidence that the real cause of the devastation might have been an earthquake. Nur brings a geophysicist's perspective to the archaeologist's world, observing that many ancient sites (such as Mycenae) are affected by significant fault lines that pass directly through ancient ruins, sometimes visibly offsetting walls and staircases. Others ruins contain the remains of people killed thousands of years ago by collapsing walls or ceilings--the skeletons bear the telltale signs of the crushing injuries typical of earthquake victims.

Nur suggests that some ancient abandonments and migrations might have been triggered by earthquakes. For example, some of the devastation usually attributed to the mysterious Sea Peoples may have been caused by earthquakes, either because the earthquakes caused the destruction outright, or because they severely damaged fortifications and killed large numbers of people, leaving cities vulnerable to opportunistic invaders.

Archaeologists have tended to dismiss the earthquake explanation for sometimes widespread devastation in the ancient world because much of it (such as the events around 1200BC that preciptated the Greek Dark Ages) appears to have happened suddenly over an implausibly wide area for an earthquake. But Nur argues that very widepsread damage could have been caused by either a single very large earthquake, or by an "earthquake storm" (a cascade of earthquakes caused when one quake increases pressure on another fault, leading to a series of events). Both of these possibilities are fair game from the perspective of a geophysicist, and Nur urges that archaeologists should consider the possibility carefully when interpreting ancient sites.

Nur's book is an enjoyable mix of geology, geophysics, ancient history, geology, and forensics, but it also contains a warning. What happened in the Mediterranean and the Middle East in the ancient world can happen again, as it did during the Jericho Earthquake of 1927. If archaeologists and geophysicists can learn from each other, they are more likely to spot major earthquake hazards that might otherwise be overlooked.

Neither too little or too much, 28 Apr 1998
Neither too little or too much, Volcanoes: Crucibles of Change is the best volume I have ever read on Volcanology. Written for the intelligent layperson, the book never talks down to its reader or loses them in mult-semicolon sentances of unintelligble jargon as so many other books by scientists do. If you want the latest theories on volcanoes, this is th book for you. I was especially surprised by how many dormant/active volcanoes there are in the lower 48. And as one who has flown from the U.S. to Japan, the chapter on planes and volcanoes was both fascinating and scary.

Great Book, 05 Apr 1998
A brilliant book for any volcanoholic. I am a geology student hoping to proceed to volcanology, and thoroughly enjoyed this book just for the sake of a good read on a great subject.

A terrific book about volcanoes and people., 08 Mar 1998
This book is enjoyable to read: a great narrative that covers a wide range of topics about volcanoes: famous eruptions, effects on climate, how they provide resources, how they can adversely affect us, and more. The text has a lot of depth, but is cohesive and flows well. The diagrams are nicely done too. At the end of the book, the reader finds many helpful resources for volcano tourism.

Exciting story, pity about the fuzzy volcanoes, 15 Aug 2006
This is an account of the contribution of volcanic action to Scotland's landscapes, written by a specialist for non-specialists. Accordingly there is an introduction to vulcanology which anyone who knows a bit about the subject can skip. There are also explanations of geological terms, but as these are scattered through the text rather than listed at the end (though there is an index for them), they can be irritatingly slow to find if you want to refresh your memory - as you probably will, since the author can't help getting at least mildly technical in many places.
Unlike most geology books, which start in deep time and work their way towards the present, this book does the reverse, starting with the most recent (Tertiary) volcanoes of the West, which are naturally the best preserved, and working back to the really ancient stuff. In one way this is a good idea, since it's much easier to identify the more recent features. In another it isn't, owing to the unavoidable fact that the landscape developed in reverse order, and to understand the causes of a phenomenon you really have to know what happened before. This leads to some clumsy cross-referencing.
Having grouched a bit, I have to say that for an amateur geologist like me the book is pitched just right. I read it practically at a sitting and it makes me yearn to go and see some more of the relevant landscapes. The only big disappointment is the extremely poor quality of the colour photos. Some are so fuzzy that the feature they are supposed to illustrate is scarcely visible. In these days of fast and easy colour reproduction this is really inexcusable, especially in view of the substantial price tag.