Volcanoes: An Introduction

ISBN-13: 9781857282238 / Angielski / Twarda / 1994 / 288 str.

Alwyn Scarth

Opis

Why do volcanoes erupt, and in so many different ways? What happens when a volcano erupts in the sea? How can eruptions be predicted? These are a few of the questions addressed in this wide-ranging introduction to volcanoes. Assuming little background knowledge, and providing a comprehensive glossary explaining technical terms, this title deals with all aspects of volcanic features and processes. It examines them as distinctive, and often dramatic, features of the landscape, as well as potential sources of danger to human beings.; Volcanoes provide an exciting way in which to analyze some of the major geological processes. The author sets them in their world context and explains their formation, especially in relation to the many styles of eruption, and the multitude of volcanic landscape forms that result. Some major eruptions are selected to illustrate this eruptive variety and the impact on surrounding populations. Distinctive landscape forms, from flows to cones and calderas, are described with reference to the "biographies" of the volcanoes. There are chapters devoted to stratovolcanoes, hydrovolcanic features and erosional processes. A final chapter examines the latest methods of predicting volcanic eruptions and moderating their effects.; Drawing on an unusually wide range of sources in the French, Spanish and Portuguese literature, as well as English, the author presents examples and illustrations from around the world, including the Aegean, the French West Indies, the American West, the Azores and the Canary Islands, Italy and central France. He has also translated various eye-witness accounts of volcanic events and has included a revised version of Pliny's account of the eruption of Vesuvius.

Spis treści

Part I Introduction; Vulcano. Part II Volcanic activity: Distribution of volcanoes; Generation and ascent of magma; Eruption styles. Part III Eruptions: Vesuvius AD 79; El Chichon - 28 March 1982; Nevado del Ruiz - 13 November 1985; Mount St Helen - 18 May 1980; Montagne Pelee - 8 May 1902; Minoan Eruption of Santorini; Capelinhos 1957-8; Heimaey - 23 January 1973; Pinatubo - 15 June 1991; Lanzarote - 1730-36. Part IV Volcanic landforms: Lava flows; Domes; Cinder cones; Stratovolcanoes; Calderas; Hydrovolcanic landforms; Volcanic island - Graciosa, Azores; Volcanic landforms and erosion. Part V Prediction: Predicting volcanic eruptions and their effects.