Take a volcanic vacation
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Encyclopedia of earthquakes and volcanoes
Alexander E. Gates and David Ritchie..
New York : Checkmark Books, c2007.
This new edition has been updated with current information on geologic events and examples of historical earthquakes. Middle East coverage has been significantly expanded to include recent natural disasters and events.
Nature's extremes : inside the great natural disasters that shape life on earth
New York : Time Books, c2006.
The killer tsunami of 2004 and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina remind us of the fragility of mans place on his home planet.Now Time explores the past, present and future of this unpredictable planet, tracing the rise and fall of ancient civilizations, exploring earths most extreme environments and flying with scientists into the wildest of weather systems. An attractive volume that combines Times world-famous writing with a collection of powerful photographs Time has been at the forefront of modern discoveries and is uniquely positioned to provide a fascinating look back at the discoveries that changed the world
The volcano adventure guide
Rosaly Lopes.
Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2005.
This guide contains vital information for anyone wishing to visit, explore, and photograph active volcanoes safely and enjoyably. Following an introduction that discusses eruption styles of different types of volcanoes and how to prepare for an exploratory trip that avoids volcanic dangers, the book presents guidelines to visiting 42 different volcanoes around the world. It is filled with practical information that includes tour itineraries, maps, transportation details, and warnings of possible non-volcanic dangers. Three appendices direct the reader to a wealth of further volcano resources in a volume that will fascinate amateur enthusiasts and professional volcanologists alike. Rosaly Lopes is a planetary geology and volcanology specialist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. In addition to her curatorial and research work, she has lectured extensively in England and Brazil and written numerous popular science articles. She received a Latinas in Science Award from the Comision Feminil Mexicana Nacional in 1991 and since 1992, has been a co-organizer of the United Nations/European Space Agency/The Planetary Society yearly conferences on Basic Science for the Benefit of Developing Countries.
Volcanoes
Mauro Rosi ... [et al.] ; preface by Franco Barberi ; [English translation by Jay Hyams].
Toronto ; New York : Firefly Books, 2003.
Jointly authored by four scientists in Italy and designed for the popular reader, this primer is beautifully illustrated with color photos. The basic science of volcanoes is described in initial chapters on magma, eruptions, structures, monitoring, and the volcanologist. The remainder of the book surveys individual volcanoes and their history worldwide. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Krakatoa : the day the world exploded, August 27, 1883
Simon Winchester.
New York : Harper-Collins, 2003.
In this first US edition, the author of the The Map That Changed the World portrays the 19th-century eruption of a Javanese volcano that still has global repercussions in both historical and scientific contexts. The book includes maps and other illustrations. Published in Great Britain by Viking, 2003. Annotation #169;2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
When rock is heated by the extreme heat of the Earth, it melts and gas is formed. Along with magma (molten rock), this gas rises to the Earth's surface and erupts. Once the magma is above the earth's surface, it is called lava.
 Before volcanoes erupt symptoms can be observed at, or below, the earth's surface. They could include: The swelling or inflation of the volcano, earthquakes, increased geothermal or hot spring activity, a change in the groundwater table, or increased emissions of volcanic gasses. |
Volcanic activity is worldwide and beckons to the action traveler. If you are one, you have the opportunity to sightsee or climb any of these famous volcanoes:
- Mount Saint Helens in Washington State is an Ape Cave, with the longest intact lava tube in the United States. An Ape Cave is a tunnel that is formed when the surface of a lava flow cools and solidifies while the molten interior flows through it.
- Kilauea, which means spewing, one of Earth's most active volcanoes, is located in Hawaii. It has been continuously erupting since January 3, 1983.
- Mount Fuji is Japan's highest volcano. The most popular time to hike up Mt. Fuji is from July through August.
- When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD it buried Italy’s' Roman city of Pompeii. It had its last eruption in 1944.
- Mount Pinatubo is located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It was dormant for 635 years until its eruption in June 1991.
- Popocatépetl, which means Smoking Mountain, is the second highest peak in Mexico. In Aztec mythology, Popocatépetl was a warrior who was in loved with a princess.
While on the scenic highways or byways a volcano tour to see these geological wonders can offer plenty of adventure .
Article by: St. Louis Public Library staff
