“How Hot is Lava? And Other Questions About Volcanoes”
by Kelly Smith.
Sterling Children’s Books, New York, 2016, 32 pages. Grades 3-5.
Volcanoes are some of the most interesting and frightening events in the physical world. In 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius exploded, burying the city of Pompeii under nearly 16 feet of ash. Though the exact number of deaths from the explosion is not known, estimates are that at least 1,000 people died during the eruption.
Throughout history there has been no ability to predict volcanoes. Today we are much more fortunate because scientists have learned many warning signs of volcanic eruptions. It is not too soon either. Just last week, the Kilauea Volcano on the Hawaiian Islands began erupting. The extent of the danger is not known or finished at this time. But evacuations have begun because of gas explosions and lava flows are threatening the area. Where do volcanoes come from? Can they be predicted? Are there different kinds of volcanoes? Kelly Smith has written a highly awarded book on this subject. The name of this fine book is “How Hot Is Lava? And Other Questions About Volcanoes.”
Volcanoes occur when melted rock is forced upwards through the crust of the earth. This molten rock is called magma. When it breaks through the earth’s crust during an eruption, it is named lava. The lava that spews forth from the summit of a volcanic mountain can measure 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit. It will destroy everything immediately it encounters. If the lava cools quickly, it turns into a dark glass named obsidian. If the lava is composed with a great deal of gases, it will form into pumice on cooling. The reason for the violent explosions in volcanoes is the movement of the tectonic plates of the earth. These gigantic plates float over the inner mantle of the earth. Though they move only several inches a year, when the enormous plates touch each other, huge amounts of energy are released that can lead to volcanic eruptions.
In recent decades, the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) ranks the force of volcanoes from the lowest level of one to the highest level of eight. The most violent volcano in history occurred when Mount Tambora in Indonesia, exploded in 1815. It was believed to be a seven on the VEI scale and the next year, 1816, was sometimes called the “year with no sun” due to the ash in the atmosphere. Another famous volcanic eruption happened on the island of Krakatoa in 1883 when the entire island basically blew-up. The tragic Mt. St. Helens eruption in 1980 was rated at a VEI 5.
So why do many volcanoes occur on the coasts of continents? Why are some volcanoes extinct while others stay active? How dangerous is lava? Does lava have any benefits for the earth? How have scientists helped us better understand volcanoes in recent years. To find out the answers to these and other questions, go to the library and checkout this award winning book, “How Hot is Lava? And Other Questions About Volcanoes” by Kelly Smith.
The pictures in this book are fascinating. The text is very informative but will demand attention from readers due to the scientific explanations involved with this topic. Smith describes complicated physical and geological phenomenon that require concentration by readers. But the effort is surely worth it. The pictures are beautiful and the drawings are descriptive. The writing details the many aspects of volcanoes and lava flows. This is an outstanding science book. I hope you get a chance to check out this highly recommended book. You will enjoy it, I certainly did.
