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David Ritchie is a journalist who has written a number of popular books on science. His newest work is aimed squarely at a recognized need for a reference book on volcanoes and earthquakes. The entries are arranged alphabetically - from 'aa' to 'Yellowstone National Park' - and range from a single sentence to about two pages. Apparently each state has an entry, although it is often says little: North Dakota, United States. Although characterized by low seismic activity, North Dakota is affected from time to time by earthquakes in nearby states. Notable effects were reported in North Dakota, for example, from the MONTANA earthquake of 1959.
Many of the entries are good. For example, checking Rabaul - the location of important eruptions in September of 1994 - I found a 1.5 page summary of past volcanic and earthquake activity. This is an accurate survey that provides background information useful in understanding the recent activity. Unfortunately, there are no maps or photographs of Rabaul. In fact, throughout EEV there are too few photos, and many are poor.
Some of the descriptions are incorrect or naive. For example, in two or three entries the atmospheric cooling seen to follow large eruptions is said to be due to finely divided solid material or dust ejected into the upper atmosphere where it intercepts sunlight. While this mechanism is correct, the large majority of the cooling is caused by volcanic gas aerosols, not dust. It is a small but important difference, and a reference book should get it right.
It may be surprising, after my snits, that I recommend that school libraries buy this book. Its goal is excellent, its execution is flawed, but the good outweighs the less than perfect. It will provide information that isn't in normal encyclopedias, and is otherwise only found scattered through hundreds of technical journals. EEV should be an inspiration for either a second edition or a totally new book. Done correctly, such an encyclopedia would be an invaluable resource.
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Most volcanoes are never seen - they form on the floors of the Pacific and other oceans. Using the submersible research ship Alvin, scientists have been studying undersea volcanoes. In 1991 an eruption was witnessed by Alvin scientists on the Pacific seabed southwest of Mexico. On a return visit in December, 1993 tube worms and other deep-sea creatures had returned to the site of the eruption. Needless to say this article includes remarkable photos of the unique ecology of submarine hot spots.
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