Volcanoes, Michael J. Branney
Volcanoes, Michael J. Branney
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Volcanoes
A Very Short Introduction

Author: Michael J. Branney, Jan Zalasiewicz

Narrator: Mike Cooper

Unabridged: 4 hr 27 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 03/09/2021


Synopsis

Volcanoes are some of the most dramatic expressions of the powerful tectonic forces at work in the Earth beneath our feet. But volcanism, a profoundly important feature of Earth, and indeed of other planets and moons too, encompasses much more than just volcanoes themselves. On a planetary scale, volcanism is an indispensable heat release mechanism, which on Earth allows the conditions for life. It releases gases into the atmosphere and produces enormous volumes of rock, and spectacular landscapes—landscapes which, during major eruptions, can be completely reshaped in a matter of hours. Through geological time volcanism has shaped both climate and biological evolution, and volcanoes can affect human life, too, for both good and ill. Yet, even after much study, some of the fundamental aspects of volcanicity remain mysterious.

This Very Short Introduction takes listeners into the inferno of a racing pyroclastic current, and the heart of a moving lava flow, as understood through the latest scientific research. Exploring how volcanologists forensically decipher how volcanoes work, Michael Branney and Jan Zalasiewicz explain what we do (and don't) understand about the fundamental mechanisms of volcanism, and consider how volcanoes interact with other physical processes on the Earth, with life, and with human society.

About Michael J. Branney

Michael J. Branney is a professor of volcanology at the University of Leicester, and jazz pianist. He investigates explosive super-eruptions, how volcanic ash is transported across the Earth surface, and how volcanoes collapse catastrophically, and has published many key papers on these topics. He works in Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, the UK, the Canary Islands, Italy, and the USA.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Daniel

The book is a readable and interesting introduction to volcanoes - present and past, on Earth and in the heavens (briefly, in the last chapter). Unless you're already an expert, expect plenty of "holy cow" moments as you read this remarkable subject. The book features a short glossary, but the main......more

Goodreads review by John

This was an excellent overview of volcanoes, including a basic refresher on geology and plate tectonics. The authors do an excellent job of explaining technical concepts and providing the reader with an understanding of the different types and behaviors of volcanoes.......more

Goodreads review by Lukasz

Przesłuchałem książkę, śledziłem trochę sytuację w Islandii i zainteresowało mnie jakie procesy związane są z wulkanami. Pozycja z dziedziny geologii, dobrze się słuchało i napisana dość zrozumiale, nawet dla odbiorcy który nie jest geologiem.......more