Preface; 1. Fire and brimstone: how volcanoes work; 2. Eruption styles, hazards and ecosystem impacts; 3. Volcanoes and global climate change; 4. Forensic volcanology; 5. Relics, myths and chronicles; 6. Killer plumes; 7. Human origins; 8. The ash-giant/sulphur-dwarf; 9. European volcanism in prehistory; 10. The rise of Teotihuacán; 11. Dark Ages: dark nature?; 12. The Haze famine; 13. The last great subsistence crisis in the western world; 14. Volcanic catastrophe risk; Appendix A. Volcano trumps: notable eruptions of the past 10,000 years; Appendix B. Further reading; Index.
Preface; 1. Fire and brimstone: how volcanoes work; 2. Eruption styles, hazards and ecosystem impacts; 3. Volcanoes and global climate change; 4. Forensic volcanology; 5. Relics, myths and chronicles; 6. Killer plumes; 7. Human origins; 8. The ash-giant/sulphur-dwarf; 9. European volcanism in prehistory; 10. The rise of Teotihuacan; 11. Dark Ages: dark nature?; 12. The Haze famine; 13. The last great subsistence crisis in the western world; 14. Volcanic catastrophe risk; Appendix A. Volcano trumps: notable eruptions of the past 10,000 years; Appendix B. Further reading; Index.
A spellbinding exploration of the history's greatest volcanic events and their impacts on the history of humankind.
Clive Oppenheimer is a Reader in Volcanology and Remote Sensing at the University of Cambridge and a Research Associate of 'Le Studium' Institute for Advanced Studies at ISTO (University of Orléans/CNRS). His research focuses on understanding the chemistry and physics of volcanism, and the climatic and human impacts of eruptions in antiquity. He has carried out fieldwork worldwide in collaboration with archaeologists, atmospheric scientists and other geologists. Since 2003, he has studied the lava lake of Erebus volcano with the US Antarctic Program. In 2005 the Royal Geographical Society presented him with the Murchison Award 'for publications enhancing the understanding of volcanic processes and impacts'. Dr Oppenheimer is a co-author with Peter Francis of a leading volcanology textbook and has contributed widely to television and film documentaries on volcanoes, including Werner Herzog's 'Encounters at the End of the World' and most recently, for Discovery, the History Channel, the BBC, Teachers' TV and National Geographic.
'I have to thank God on my knees that Oppenheimer's book did not
exist at the time I made my decision to become a filmmaker. I might
have become a volcanologist instead.' Werner Herzog, film director
and producer
'With his characteristic sparkling brilliance, Oppenheimer expertly
recasts the latest scientific findings on how volcanoes work as a
compelling and readable account that conveys the enduring human
fascination for nature's fiery outbursts and their capacity to
transform life on this planet.' Professor Iain Stewart, geologist
and BBC TV presenter
'In his explosive book, Clive Oppenheimer brilliantly shows how the
history of volcanoes and people is a tangled account. From our
earliest ancestors to travellers battling with the effects of ash
clouds on airline flights, our evolutionary destiny has been played
out in the shadow of volcanoes, often with disastrous results.'
Professor Clive Gamble, Royal Holloway, University of London
'This is forensic geology in the widest sense and an exciting
guided tour of the major volcanic and climatic disasters
experienced by human kind. Oppenheimer has a rare talent for
bringing the science and history together in a clear and engaging
way.' Professor Michael Rampino, New York University
'Writing in his inimitably lively and witty style, Clive
Oppenheimer takes us through deep time and deep into volcanoes,
teaching us how they work and demonstrating how powerful eruptions
have often jostled the human toehold on survival. This tour de
force is an astonishingly provocative roadmap to the once and
future history of Earth.' Dr Dave Pieri, NASA Jet Propulsion
Laboratory
'A fascinating work that will engage not just volcano experts but
also those with an interest in history, climatology, archaeology,
and geochronology.' Library Journal
'[Oppenheimer] tops them all with a new book, heavy on scientific
detail and light on dramatic froth, chronicling eruptions that
really did change the world … he thoughtfully makes his case that
volcanoes and humankind have been intertwined throughout history,
and will continue to be long after the next unpronounceable
Icelandic volcano erupts.' ScienceNews
'From just the first chapter, the genius of Clive Oppenheimer in
the world of volcanology shines in his book … For any reader
interested in learning more about volcanology, whether it be the
history or the science behind it, Oppenheimer's book is a plethora
of information … [his] passion and lifelong dedication to this
subject is evident … It's a subject anyone could approach with
caution because of the force that drives these monstrous mountains.
However, Oppenheimer takes it dead-on, fearlessly and boldly,
pouring his research into the text that derives from a childlike
imagination into a man's ambition.' Red Orbit
'… a useful reference for earth science students … Oppenheimer
romps through the geological past, detailing some of the major
volcanic events and their global impact … well worth diving into …
he is upbeat, suggesting that a super-eruption could bring out the
best in humanity, inspiring altruism and collective political
action.' Kate Ravilious, New Scientist
'Oppenheimer uses all sorts of evidence to unravel the stories
behind some of the greatest and most significant volcanic
cataclysms. The book is well illustrated [and] each chapter starts
with a well-selected quote and ends with a useful summary … I
recommend Eruptions that Shook the World as motivational reading
for physics students looking for a thesis topic in Earth or
environmental sciences. The book may encourage physicists to take
up the fascinating but challenging mission of understanding the
workings of deep Earth and the claims that are made for it.'
Physics Today
'[A] well-written book …' Environmental History
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