Review
This is a no-nonsense reference book that should be on the shelf of any serious volcanophile, and in every geology or earth science library. If you can afford only one global volcano reference book, this should be it. -- Volcano Quarterly, 08/95
Smithsonian Institution volcanologists summarize 1,511 volcanoes active in the last 10,000 years, examining the technical specifications of the activity and providing a regional description of local terrain, history, and tectonics. The technical statistics and data herein will appeal to college-level collections strong in advanced sciences. -- Midwest Book Review
The Volcano Reference File maintained by the Smithsonian Institution forms the basis for this exhaustive directory-cum-history of volcanic activity world-wide. Its introductory sections explain how eruption data has been compiled from centuries-old historical records and evidence preserved in tree rings, ice cores, lake sediments, and other natural phenomena. The directory itself, organized by geographic regions, starts in Europe and works its way eastward to North America and then southward to Antarctica. A map at the beginning of each geographic section identifies volcanoes' locations; the directory situates each of the regions's volcanoes by latitude and longitude, identifies its type, and provides a historical record of each of its known or inferred eruptions. Small type packs in data on eruptions, including year of each eruption, start and stop dates of activity, and a table indicating effects on topography, nearby or surrounding ocean, and life. A chronology of eruptions reaches from prehistoric times to December 1993, and a gazetteer lists both volcanoes and their subsidiary features, such as cones, domes, and craters. A concluding bibliography, organized by region, makes this the most complete handbook of volcanic history and activity available. its absence from geoscie- nce collections will be as conspicuous as a crater. -- Wilson Library Bulletin, 06/1995
From the Back Cover
From 8,000 BC through 1993, nearly 8,000 eruptions are arranged in chronolog- ical order, with date, duration volume, and explosive magnitude listed in a tabular format. A gazetteer cross-references more than 10,000 volcano names, feature names, and synonyms. An extensive bibliography lists sources chronologically by region.
This volume is an important reference of special interest to volcanologists, historians, anthropologists, hazard specialists, geothermal researchers, climatol- ogists, and anyone else interested in natural events that have impacted our planet in the last few thousand years.
