Out of the Crater - by Richard V Fisher (Paperback)
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<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br><p>Volcanologists venture to treacherous volcanoes the world over in the pursuit of their science. They work around craters of boiling magma and amidst smoke, flames, scorched rocks, and clouds of noxious gases--balancing personal risk against advancing knowledge about one of nature's most dangerous and unpredictable forces. Richard Fisher, a world-renowned volcanologist, has had more than forty years of experience in the field. In this book, he blends autobiography with clear, accessible science to introduce readers to the basics of volcanology and to the wonders of volcanoes that he has studied and learned to both fear and admire. <p/> In the course of the book, we follow Fisher as he descends into the steaming crater of the Soufri re Volcano on the island of St. Vincent, as he conducts research on lava flows on the desolate south shore of the Island of Hawaii, and as he struggles to understand the explosion at Mount St. Helens. We learn about his pioneering work on pyroclastic flows and surges--the hurricanes of gases, molten lava, and volcanic debris that cause most of the death and destruction when volcanoes explode. He tells of solving a historic scientific problem at Mount Pelee, Martinique, where 29,000 people were killed in a pyroclastic flow in 1902. Fisher also offers a volcanologist's view of the explosion of Mount Vesuvius that devastated Pompeii and Herculaneum. He writes about the cultural rewards and challenges of conducting research in isolated areas of such countries as Argentina, Mexico, and China. And he discusses the early influences that steered him toward volcanology--including his army experiences as a witness to two atom-bomb explosions at Bikini atoll. <p/><br> <i>Out of the Crater</i> is written in an inviting, nontechnical style. With its deft combination of personal stories and scientific information, it is an inspiring account of a remarkable life and a compelling examination of some of the most spectacular forces shaping the face of the Earth.</p><p/><br></br><p><b> From the Back Cover </b></p></br></br><p>"Once I began reading this book, I had a very difficult time putting it down. It is a well-written and lively account of Dr. Fisher's research during several decades of work, highlighting the interplay between scientific method and serendipity in the advancement of science. He presents the hazards of explosive volcanoes in a way that the general reader can easily understand."<b>--Bart S. Martin, Ohio Wesleyan University</b></p><p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br>Good first-person descriptions of science are always welcome, and doubly so from scientists in fascinating fields. . . . [<i>Out of the Crater</i>] reveals much about research in a tough environmental science where extensive fieldwork is the only road to enlightenment.<b>---Martin Ince, <i>New Scientist</i></b><br><br>Interesting and entertaining reading. . . . Fisher is a good writer and mixes tales of his travels, science, and personal anecdotes as well. The book is entertaining and an easy read. . . . Perhaps the only regret is that the book is not a bit longer.<b>---Steve Sparks, <i>Nature</i></b><br><br>R. V. Fisher is, without a doubt, one of the premier volcanologists of the latter half of the twentieth century. Fisher writes in a light and lucid prose. . . . The result is an engaging, human and modest account.<b>---David Pyle, <i>Geological Magazine</i></b><br><p/><br></br><p><b> About the Author </b></p></br></br><b>Richard V. Fisher</b> is Professor Emeritus of Geological Sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he has taught and researched since 1955. In 1997, he was awarded the Thorarinsson Medal, the highest honor of the International Society of Volcanologists. Fisher is the coauthor, with Grant Heiken and Jeffrey B. Hulen, of <i>Volcanoes: Crucibles of Change</i> (Princeton). He also wrote <i>Pyroclastic Rocks</i> with H.-U. Schmincke and coedited <i>Sedimentation in Volcanic Settings</i> with G. A. Smith.
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