Volcanoes: Eruptions and Other Volcanic Hazards (The Hazardous Earth)

Examines the different types of volcanic eruptions, starting with an introduction to volcanoes, volcanic landforms, and plate tectonics, followed by a detailed description of the various characteristics of magma that lead to differences in eruption style.

The Hazardous Earth is an eight-volume set that provides students with a comprehensive account of natural hazards-the geologic processes that create conditions dangerous to humans-and what can be done to minimize their effects. Designed to complement science curricula, the books present vivid accounts of historic disasters and events that have shaped history and serve as warnings for future generations.

Volcanoes provides a thorough examination of volcanic eruptions, beginning with an introduction to volcanoes, volcanic landforms, and plate tectonics and followed by a detailed description of the various characteristics of magma that result in differences in eruption style. The book also explores the classification of igneous rocks, the extreme hazards associated with volcanism, and efforts to predict volcanic eruptions. Sidebars throughout the book clarify fundamental concepts about plate tectonics and associated geologic hazards and provide compelling firsthand accounts of volcanic eruptions and their impact on the environment.

The volume includes information on: global volcanism, historical volcanic disasters, igneous rocks, mass extinctions and catastrophes, massive global volcanism, volcanic winters, and kimberlite eruptions, reducing the threat from volcanic hazards, types of volcanic eruptions and landforms, volcanic disasters of the 20th and 21st centuries, volcanic hazards, volcanoes and plate tectonics.

The book contains more than 40 black-and-white photographs and line illustrations, a glossary of terms, a detailed list of print and Internet resources, and an index. The Hazardous Earth set is essential for middle and high school students, teachers, and generalreaders who seek comprehensive information on geologic processes that are hazardous to people and the environment.

About the Author:
Timothy Kusky, Ph.D., is the Paul C. Reinert Professor of Natural Sciences and director of the Center for Environmental Sciences at Saint Louis University, Missouri

Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 12 Acknowledgments......Page 14 Introduction......Page 16 1: Plate Tectonics, Volcanoes, and Igneous Rocks......Page 20 2: Volcanic Hazards......Page 41 3: Reducing the Threat from Volcanic Hazards......Page 62 4: Examples of Historical Volcanic Disasters......Page 72 5: Examples of Volcanic Disasters of the Twentieth and Twenty-fi rst Centuries......Page 93 6: Massive Global Volcanism, Volcanic Winters, and Kimberlite Eruptions......Page 119 7: Mass Extinctions and Catastrophes......Page 127 Summary......Page 141 Glossary......Page 146 Further Reading and Web Sites......Page 152 Index......Page 162 Volcanic eruptions are some of the spectacular of natural phenomena, yet they are also among the dangerous geological hazards. This book examines the different types of volcanic eruptions - starting with an introduction to volcanoes, volcanic landforms, and plate tectonics, followed by a description of the various characteristics of magma 'Volcanoes' examines the different types of volcanic eruptions. It starts with an introduction to volcanoes, volcanic landforms and plate tectonics, and includes classification of igneous rocks, the hazards associated with volcanism, and the prediction of eruptions. A comprehensive study of volcanoes that discusses historical disasters, how the threat of volcanic hazards is reduced, plate tectonics, types of magma, eruptions and landforms, classification of igneous rocks, and prediction efforts Describes volcanoes and their eruptions, including plate tectonics, volcanic hazards, and historic and modern cases of catastrophic volcanic eruptions.