Volcanoes and the Environment is a comprehensive and accessible text incorporating contributions from some of the world's authorities in volcanology. This book is an indispensable guide for those interested in how volcanism affects our planet's environment. It spans a wide variety of topics from geology to climatology and ecology; it also considers the economic and social impacts of volcanic activity on humans. Topics covered include how volcanoes shape the environment, their effect on the geological cycle, atmosphere and climate, impacts on health of living on active volcanoes, volcanism and early life, effects of eruptions on plant and animal life, large eruptions and mass extinctions, and the impact of volcanic disasters on the economy. This book is intended for students and researchers interested in environmental change from the fields of earth and environmental science, geography, ecology and social science. It will also interest policy makers and professionals working on natural hazards.
Introduction; 1. Understanding the physical behaviour of volcanoes Steven N. Carey; 2. Volcano hazards Robert I.Tilling; 3. Anticipating volcanic eruptions Joan Marti and Arnau Folch Duran; 4. Volcanoes and the geological cycle Ray A. F. Cas; 5. Effects of volcanic eruptions on the atmosphere and climate Stephen Self; 6. Volcanoes, hydrothermal venting and the origin of life Karl O. Stetter; 7. Volcanism and mass extinctions Paul Wignal; 8. Effects of modern volcanic impacts on vegetation Virginia H. Dale, James MacMahon and Johanna Delgado-Acevedo; 9. Animals and volcanoes: survival and revival John S. Edwards; 10. Human impacts of volcanoes Peter J. Baxter; 11. Volcanoes, geothermal energy and the environment Wendell A. Duffield; 12. Volcanic-hosted ore deposits Harold A. Gibson; 13. Industrial uses of volcanic materials Grant Heiken; 14. Volcanoes, society and culture David K. Chester; 15. Volcanoes and the economy Charlotte Benson; References; Index.
'Spanning a variety of topics from geology to climatology and ecology, this very readable book will appeal to a wide range of readers interested in earth science, geography, ecology, social science and environmental issues.' Open University Geological Society Journal '! this book ! provides the reader with excellent summaries on themes as disparate as volcano hazards, geothermal energy and ore deposits.' Geography 'The content of this book is of a high quality! concise and easy to follow with relevant figures and tables ! The text is accessible to researchers of several different disciplines and would form a useful text book for students in environmental sciene departments. Volcanoes and the Environment achieves its goals.' Journal of Environmental Conservation