Why does a volcano erupt? How many different kinds of volcanoes are there? Once believed to be the work of a fire god named Vulcan, volcanoes have long fascinated people. Looking at three different types of volcanoes composite, cinder cone, and shield uncover how and why these magnificent and deadly mountains change the earth for the better, and for the worse.

This volume describes the characteristics of volcanoes.

Conditions on Earth are becoming more and more extreme and kids want to learn about it! Is it true that, at any given time, about 20 volcanoes are erupting somewhere on Earth? Yes! Sometimes volcanoes erupt with a big, dangerous bang. Other times they spit out lava so slowly that you could walk faster than it flows. INSIDE, YOU LL FIND: • How volcanoes form, when they erupt, and an account of the most devastating ones in recent history; • A hands-on activity, a timeline, photos, diagrams—and how scientists are studying volcanoes and their impact on our planet; • Surprising TRUE facts that will shock and amaze you! This new set in the ongoing A TRUE BOOK series will answer all of kids' questions about nature's most dangerous and destructive disasters! With an engaging layout, and spectacular photos, illustrations, diagrams and infographics, the past, present and future of extreme phenomenon happening on Earth will be explained. Readers will discover causes and consequences, as well as the cutting-edge science developed through the centuries to forecast them. First-hand accounts will bring science to life, and a special section will teach kids how to prepare for these extreme events.

Exciting new Look Insideseries to encourage and inspire young readers. Look Inside Volcano gives you an exciting new look at the earth's eruptions and explosions. It explains everything from what volcanoes are, how they form, and what happens during an eruption. It also introduces the different types of volcano and famous volcanoes from around the world. It's packed with photos, bold graphics and information, as well as moveable pull and lift flaps that allow you to journey into the centre of the Earth. You'll even see dramatic before and after images of real-life explosions. Look Inside a Volcanois full of amazing explosive stuff - handle with care!

"A Weldon Owen production"--P. facing t.p.

For use in schools and libraries only. Introduces readers to one of the planet's mightiest physical forces, showing how volcanoes are formed, where they are found, and how they have changed the face of the Earth.

Whenever a volcano threatens to erupt, scientists and adventurers from around the world flock to the site in response to the irresistible allure of one of nature's most dangerous and unpredictable phenomena. In a unique book probing the science and mystery of these fiery features, the authors chronicle not only their geologic behavior but also their profound effect on human life. From Mount Vesuvius to Mount St. Helens, the book covers the surprisingly large variety of volcanoes, the subtle to conspicuous signs preceding their eruptions, and their far-reaching atmospheric consequences. Here scientific facts take on a very human dimension, as the authors draw upon actual encounters with volcanoes, often through firsthand accounts of those who have witnessed eruptions and miraculously survived the aftermath. The book begins with a description of the lethal May 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens--complete with an explanation of how safety officials and scientists tried to predict events, and how unsuspecting campers and loggers miles away struggled against terrifying blasts of ash, stone, and heat. The story moves quickly to the ways volcanoes have enhanced our lives, creating mineral-rich land, clean thermal energy, and haunting landscapes that in turn benefit agriculture, recreation, mining, and commerce. Religion and psychology embroider the account, as the authors explore the impact of volcanoes on the human psyche through tales of the capricious volcano gods and attempts to appease them, ranging from simple homage to horrific ritual sacrifice. Volcanoes concludes by assisting readers in experiencing these geological phenomena for themselves. An unprecedented "tourist guide to volcanoes" outlines over forty sites throughout the world. Not only will travelers find information on where to go and how to get there, they will also learn what precautions to take at each volcano. Tourists, amateur naturalists, and armchair travelers alike will find their scientific curiosity whetted by this informative and entertaining book.

When the volcano Tambora erupted in Indonesia in 1815, as many as 100,000 people perished as a result of the blast and an ensuing famine caused by the destruction of rice fields on Sumbawa and neighboring islands. Gases and dust particles ejected into the atmosphere changed weather patterns around the world, resulting in the infamous ''year without a summer'' in North America, food riots in Europe, and a widespread cholera epidemic. And the gloomy weather inspired Mary Shelley to write the gothic novel Frankenstein. This book tells the story of nine such epic volcanic events, explaining the related geology for the general reader and exploring the myriad ways in which the earth's volcanism has affected human history. Zeilinga de Boer and Sanders describe in depth how volcanic activity has had long-lasting effects on societies, cultures, and the environment. After introducing the origins and mechanisms of volcanism, the authors draw on ancient as well as modern accounts--from folklore to poetry and from philosophy to literature. Beginning with the Bronze Age eruption that caused the demise of Minoan Crete, the book tells the human and geological stories of eruptions of such volcanoes as Vesuvius, Krakatau, Mount Pelée, and Tristan da Cunha. Along the way, it shows how volcanism shaped religion in Hawaii, permeated Icelandic mythology and literature, caused widespread population migrations, and spurred scientific discovery. From the prodigious eruption of Thera more than 3,600 years ago to the relative burp of Mount St. Helens in 1980, the results of volcanism attest to the enduring connections between geology and human destiny. Some images inside the book are unavailable due to digital copyright restrictions.

When Mount Vesuvius blew up in A.D. 79, ash, cinders, and stones buried a great city below the mountain. Volcanoes are dramatic and powerful. There are thousands of them all over the earth. Franklyn M. Branley's clear text and Megan Lloyd's striking illustrations explore the fascinating subject of volcanoes—how they form and erupt, where they are found, and when you can expect a volcano to blow its top.

Unmatched in their power and violence, volcanoes are also beautiful and surprisingly beneficial. As revealed in Volcanoes: What's Hot and What's Not on Earth and in our Solar System, the molten rock beneath our feet continues to shape our world and contributes to the chemistry of life itself. Join geologist and educator Ian Lange for an in-depth survey of volcanism, from magma generation, plate tectonics, caldera formation, and hot spots to basalt floods, pyroclastic flows, lahars, super volcanoes, and more. Lange also explains topics seldom covered in volcano books, such as magma chemistry, volcanic production of metals and minerals, life on hydrothermal vents, and ash effects on aviation. Discover the fascinating answers to some of science's greatest puzzles: Why do some volcanoes explode violently while others slowly ooze lava? How does water make eruptions more explosive? Which of Earth's volcanoes are the most dangerous? Can volcanic eruptions be predicted? How do eruptions effect the Earth's climate? Where is the largest volcano in our solar system? With clear, lively text, photographs, and illustrations, Volcanoes: What's Hot and What's Not on Earth and in Our Solar System is a must-read for the scientist and layperson alike. Includes 91 photographs; 47 maps; 60 charts, tables, & diagrams; references, & index.