Volcanoes – Global Perspectives

Volcanoes – Global Perspectives explores the essential elements of the delicate global balance of forces that govern both the dynamic evolution of Earth and the nature of life itself. Volcanic activity is crucial for life as we know it, yet volcanoes, while beautiful to behold, can also be destructive. Understanding their nature is vital to prevent significant loss of life in the future.

Richly illustrated with over 300 original colour photographs and diagrams, the book is written in an informal manner, minimising jargon. It relies heavily on first-person, eye-witness accounts of both "red" (effusive) and "grey" (explosive) volcanic activity to illustrate the full spectrum of volcanic processes and their products.

The authors, drawing on decades of teaching in university classrooms and fieldwork on active volcanoes worldwide, have distilled their unique experiences into a highly readable textbook of lasting value. The book includes "Questions for Thought, Study, and Discussion," "Suggestions for Further Reading," and a comprehensive list of source references, making it a major resource for further study in volcanology.

Volcanoes maintains three core foci:

• Global perspectives: Explain volcanoes in terms of their tectonic positions on Earth and their roles in earth history.
• Environmental perspectives: Describe the essential role of volcanism in moderating terrestrial climate and atmosphere.
• Humanitarian perspectives: Discuss the major influences of volcanoes on human societies, especially significant as resource scarcities and environmental issues loom over our world, and as increasing numbers are threatened by volcanic hazards.

Readership:

Volcanologists, advanced undergraduate and graduate students in earth science and related degree courses, as well as volcano enthusiasts worldwide.

A companion website is also available for this title at www.wiley.com/go/lockwood/volcanoes.