Volcanism [Hardcover]

Hans-Ulrich Schmincke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 14, 2005 | ISBN-10: 3540436502 | ISBN-13: 978-3540436508

Volcanic eruptions are the clear and dramatic expression of dynamic processes in planet Earth. The author, one of the most profound specialists in the field of volcanology, explains in a concise and easy to understand manner the basics and most recent findings in the field. Based on over 300 color figures and the model of plate tectonics, the book offers insight into the generation of magmas and the occurrence and origin of volcanoes. The analysis and description of volcanic structures is followed by process oriented chapters discussing the role of magmatic gases as well as explosive mechanisms and sedimentation of volcanic material. The final chapters deal with the forecast of eruptions and their influence on climate. Students and scientists of a broad range of fields will use this book as an interesting and attractive source of information. Laypeople will find it a highly accessible and graphically beautiful way to acquire a state-of-the-art foundation in this fascinating field. "Volcanism by Hans-Ulrich Schmincke has photos of the best quality I have ever seen in a text on the subject… In addition, the schematic figures in their wide range of styles are clear, colorful, and simplified to emphasize the most important factors while including all significant features… "I have really enjoyed reading and rereading Schmincke’s book. It fills a great gap in texts available for teaching any basic course in volcanology. No other book I know of has the depth and breadth of Volcanism… I have shared Volcanism with my colleagues to their significant benefit, and I am more convinced of its value for a broad range of Earth and planetary scientists. Undoubtedly, I will use Volcanism for my upcoming courses in volcanology. I will never hesitate to recommend it to others. Many geoscientists from very different subdisciplines will benefit from adding the book to their personal libraries. Schmincke has done us all a great service by undertaking the grueling task of writing the book – and it is much better that he alone wrote it." Stanley N. Williams, ASU Tempe, AZ (Physics Today, April 2005)   "Schmincke is a German volcanologist with an international reputation, and he has done us all a great favour because he sensibly channelled his fascination with volcanoes into writing this beautifully illustrated book... [he] tackles the entire geological setting of volcanoes within the earth and the processes that form them... And, with more than 400 colour illustrations, including a huge number of really excellent new diagrams, cutaway models and maps, plus a rich glossary and references, this book is accessible to anyone with an interest in the subject."  New Scientist (March 2004) "The science of volcanology has made tremendous progress over the past 40 years, primarily because of technological advances and because each tragic eruption has led researchers to recognize the processes behind such serious hazards. Yet scientists are still learning a great deal because of photographs that either capture those processes in action or show us the critical factors left behind in the rock record.Volcanism by Hans-Ulrich Schmincke has photos of the best quality I have ever seen in a text on the subject. I found myself wishing that I had had the photo of Nicaragua’s Masaya volcano, which was the subject of my dissertation, but it was Schmincke who was able to include it in his book. In addition, the schematic figures in their wide range of styles are clear, colorful, and simplified to emphasize the most important factors while including all significant features. The book’s paper is of such high quality that at times I felt I had turned two pages rather than one. I have really enjoyed reading and rereading Schmincke’s book. It fills a great gap in texts available for teaching any basic course in volcanology. No other book I know of has the depth and breadth of Volcanism. I was disappointed that the text did not arrive on my desk until last August, when it was too late for me to choose it for my course in volcanology. I am also disappointed about another fact—the book’s binding is already becoming tattered because of my intense use of it! Schmincke is a volcanologist who, in 1967, first published papers on sedimentary rocks of volcanic origin, the direction traveled by lava flows millions of years ago, and the structures preserved in explosive ignimbrites, or pumice-flow deposits, that reveal important details of their formation. Since then, his studies in Germany’s Laacher See, the Canary Islands, the Troodos Ophiolite of Cyprus, and many other regions have forged great fundamental advances. Such contributions have been recognized with his receipt of several international awards and clearly give him a strong base for writing the book. However, as a scientist who has focused on the challenges of monitoring the very diverse activities of volcanoes, I think that the text’s overriding emphasis on the rock record has its cost. The group of scientists who are struggling with their goals to reduce or mitigate the hazards of the eruptions of tomorrow need to learn more about the options of technology, instrumentation, and methodology that are currently available. More than 500 million people live near the more than 1500 known active volcanoes and are constantly facing serious threats of eruptions. An extremely energetic earthquake caused the horrific tsunamis of 2004. However, the tsunamis of 1792, 1815, and 1883, which were caused by the eruptions of Japan’s Unzen volcano and Indonesia’s Tambora and Krakatau volcanoes, each took a similar toll. " ( Stanley N. Williams, PHYSICS TODAY, April 2005)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Aus den Rezensionen: ‘‘… Der überarbeitete und umgestellte Text berücksichtigt … aktuellste Vulkanausbrüche. … Der Autor … beschreibt in seinem faszinierenden Buch alle Facetten des Vulkanismus … Ein Glossar erklärt die wichtigsten fachspezifischen Begriffe, damit auch der Nichtfachmann problemlos dem Text folgen kann. … Die hohe Qualität der zahlreichen Abbildungen … und … die leicht verständlichen Texte faszinieren jeden Leser … Das besprochene Werk … ist jedoch jedem an Vulkanen Interessierten ohne Einschränkung wärmstens zum Kauf zu empfehlen. Das Buch eignet sich auch hervorragend als Geschenk an Naturfreunde." (C. Schmitt-Riegraf, in: Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie Teil II, 2005, S. 501f)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 334 pages
• Publisher: Springer (November 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3540436502
• ISBN-13: 978-3540436508
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Chemistry > Geochemistry
  • #6 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Geology > Volcanology
  • #11 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Seismology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on volcanoes that I have ever read., June 7, 2006

By 

Jerald R Lovell (Clinton Township, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Volcanism (Hardcover)

As a glance at some of my other reviews may indicate, I am very interested in nearly all aspects of volcanoes and volcanology. This is by far the best book that I have ever read on the general subject.

The photography is in four-color format and is about the best I have ever encountered on the topics. The book is jam-packed with illustrative diagrams of high quality, and both photos and diagrams follow the text in a crisp, well-crafted manner. The book was obviously written in German first, and sometimes the grammatical translations seem awkward, but remain easily understandable. This is no way detracts from the substantive content of the book.

Not surprisngly, many of the illustration are from sites of European volcanism, such as the Lacher See region of Rhineland, Germany, and the Canary Islands. The discussion of the extremely violent, but hardly known, Lacher See event is well done, and should be carefully perused by any reader. Dr. Schminke reveals a history that is hardly known about, and sorely unappreciated, by readers on this side of the Atlantic. A repetition of the event today, which is cetainly not out of the question, would a major disaster for Western Europe.

While the book uses many terms not familiar to one not acquainted with geology, these are explained for the most part, so the book should be enjoyed by anyone with a high school background in science. Of the many new books on volcanoes in recent years, this is unquestionably the finest one in my belief. I recommend it very highly to anyone who really enjoys the subject of volcanoes.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book for anyone who loves earth science, August 11, 2007

By 

Mahode "Jody" (Colorado Springs, CO, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Volcanism (Hardcover)

I didn't have the opportunity to take a volcanology class as a student, so bought this book to read for "fun." Dr. Schmincke's text is easy to understand (even when he explains relatively difficult concepts) and the photographs and illustrations are great - straightforward, colorful, and all definitely add to the text. As a former college geology instructor, I appreciate a book like this and, just from a pure enjoyment perspective - "Volcanism" was super; I had a tough time putting it down.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book for beginner volcanology...., January 25, 2009

By 

Keri Van Zeyst (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Volcanism (Hardcover)

This is a good book to get a grasp on basic volcanology. It covers a lot of stuff and has some great photos and diagrams. It doesn't get into most areas in too much depth but it is certainly a book that can provide a solid foundation for people interested in volcanoes and closely related aspects of geology. A book that I will keep too...I have gone back and referenced it several times after initially reading it.