Review by Booklist Review
Volcanoes loom large in human history, figuratively and literally. This testament to their fascinating influence comes from seasoned volcanologist Mather, who has spent decades studying the geologic processes and resulting environmental impact of volcanoes. Despite her vast experience working in various volcanic zones, Mather's tone consistently conveys her awe for these unimaginably powerful forces of nature. She shares the brutal physical challenges involved with getting up close and personal with active volcanoes and lava vents and is especially adept at describing scenes of volcanic destruction, whether historic eruptions, current ecological conditions, or even volcanism in outer space. Bringing in a host of literary and media references from notables ranging from Pliny the Elder to Jules Verne to Mark Twain, Mather shares her sympathy for early humans who mitigated the terror of unpredictable eruptions through anthropomorphism. For this all-around compelling account, Mather effortlessly integrates science and technology, geological and social history, harrowing scenes of skin-rippling heat and flying boulders, and thoughtful analysis of where our planet has been and where it may be going.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Mather, an earth sciences professor at Oxford University, debuts with a prosaic deep dive into the science of volcanoes. Expounding on the molecular chemistry of molten rock, Mather explains that silicon and oxygen atoms in magma form larger structures than the "tidy molecular units of water," giving "lava flows a strength and stickiness far greater" than water's. She highlights the fearsome power of major historical eruptions, observing that the 1883 explosion of Krakatau "shattered eardrums on the British ship RMS Norham Castle just 60 kilometres from the volcano" and that the 79 CE eruption of Mount Vesuvius created pumice plumes that "turned day to night as if the gods were at work." Personal anecdotes from Mather's impressive career offer insight into how volcanologists conduct fieldwork, as when she recounts determining that the Pu'u 'О'ō vent in Kīlauea, Hawaii, was at low risk of exploding in 2008 after sampling the chemical composition of its "volcanic smog." Unfortunately, Mather alternates between matter-of-fact scientific discussions and labored descriptions of locales where she's conducted fieldwork (she writes of the Aluto volcano in Ethiopia, "Over the volcano's rim, the topography still feels rough-hewn, with the lobes of multiple previous eruptions building the rugged ramparts in a blocky geological pattern"), struggling to capture the excitement of her subject. Readers would be better off with Clive Oppenheimer's Mountains of Fire. (June)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Award-winning geochemist Mather (earth sciences, Univ. of Oxford) takes readers on a globe-spanning journey to Nicaragua, Hawai'i, Santorini, Ethiopia, and beyond to explore some of the world's volcanoes. She clearly explains all that vulcanology entails as she relates her travel experiences and shares the history of human interaction with volcanoes and the impact they can have on nature. Her book starts with how volcanic eruptions began shaping the Earth 4.5 billion years ago, and it describes how volcanoes continue to shape the planet's topography today. Mather also adds updated knowledge on the role volcanoes played in the Earth's five mass extinctions and in shaping other planets. Her book's travelogue approach and reader-friendly discussion will help audiences connect to this scientific topic in a captivating manner. VERDICT Readers will easily imagine they are along for the ride in this crucial contribution to the geology of volcanoes. Inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, this marvelous, earnest work is impressive and might motivate some readers to study volcanoes as a profession.--Dale Farris
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A surprising sojourn into an unknown field and a paean to the mysterious sentinels of the planet's history. Most people, when they hear a volcano start to rumble, run away as fast as possible. Not Mather, whose instinct is to run toward it with a pack of scientific equipment and an obsessively inquisitive mind. Now a professor of Earth sciences at Oxford, she first became interested in volcanoes during a childhood encounter with Mount Vesuvius. Since then, she has climbed crumbling escarpments, hacked through jungles, and slogged across ice fields to study them. In this fascinating text, the author tracks through the history of volcanology as it unraveled the different types of volcanoes and eruptions. The rocks ejected during an explosion or left behind after a magma slide provided a wealth of information, once scientists worked out how to read them. Careful analysis of fumes also offered important clues. Slowly, the picture of how and why magma broke through a mountain crest was pieced together across decades of meticulous study. These days, most of the potentially dangerous volcanoes are monitored for warning signs, but these are cantankerous and unpredictable beasts. Mather notes that they are a constant source of surprises, even for people who have studied them for decades. They have been shaping and reshaping the terrain for millennia and will continue to do so for millennia to come. Mather finds them inspiring and humbling, and her love of the subject--of "the majesty of Etna, the beauty of Villarrica, or the understated intrigue of Masaya"--shines brightly on each page. Readers who are interested in popular science will find that this book is hard to put down, a remarkable journey with an entertaining guide. Mather combines a personal story with an era-spanning scope, turning esoteric information into a colorful, engaging account. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
