“Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives”
by Elizabeth Rusch, photographs by Tom Uhlman.
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2013, 76 pages, Grades 7-9.
Volcanoes are one of the most violent and unpredictable acts of nature. While many volcanoes lay dormant for hundreds of years, they may suddenly awaken and cause catastrophic damage. The United States was witness to this May 18, 1980 with the violent eruption of Mount St. Helens.
This eruption holds great significance for volcanologists because the explosion was widely photographed and studied. Following this tragedy, scientists began monitoring and registering many physical events and signs that precede volcanic eruptions. This led to the development of the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP). This organization studies possible eruptions and designs plans to warn and save people from impending and actual volcanoes.
VDAP is needed throughout the world because of the great catastrophes surrounding volcanic eruptions. Volcanologists working for VDAP are continually being asked to assess potential volcanic activity. This is critical because of the fact that many volcanoes are surrounded by villages and cities. After the explosions, the ash and other particles settle over the neighboring area. This land eventually becomes quite fertile and produces abundant crops. This accounts for the return of people to these dangerous areas. Since volcanoes erupt so infrequently, the communities begin to forget how dangerous the area is. Over time, the populace thinks the eruptions will never happen again.
Unfortunately, this is not true. Mount Pinatubo outside Manila is a prime example of this problem. The mountain had not erupted within living memory and most farmers in the area thought the issues were over. The United States Air Force also has a large military center in the area, named Clark Field.
But trouble begins to be detected in April 1991: a VDAP team is dispatched to the area and quickly detects many troubling signs of an impending volcanic eruption. Earthquake monitors start sensing multiple tremors. The cone of Mount Pinatubo emits large amounts of steam and smoke. When VDAP scientists take readings of the temperature within the cone, the results are shocking. Everything is heating up, fissures are beginning to be seen and steam and ash is ejected.
The Philipino communities will be wiped out within minutes if the mountain explodes. Clark Field will be devastated as well. Evacuation plans are implemented and people are removed from the areas closest to Mt. Pinatubo. Then suddenly, the earthquakes subsides.
Is this a false alarm? The VDAP scientists’ best hypothesis still holds for a major eruption. Days pass. Then, as the scientists are being second-guessed, the volcano alarms sound. The remaining people begin fleeing in the face of a 2000-degree flood of fire, mud and ash. What happens?
Did the Philippines avoid a full-scale disaster because of the VDAP warnings? What happens to Clark Air Force Base? Do volcanic mud flows move quickly? What is the best plan to escape the catastrophe? What finally happens at Mt. Pinatubo? To find out the answers to these and other questions, go to the library and check out this excellent book, “Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives” by Elizabeth Rusch.
This is an outstanding work of nonfiction. The author writes so well that readers will think they are reading a novel. She follows the VDAP team to the Philippines and other countries experiencing volcanic activity. The photographs are vivid and compelling. They merge with the writing to tell a story that is both informative and exciting.
Junior high school students will find this book enriching. It could be used in any unit studying earth sciences. It is first-rate all the way. I hope you enjoy the book; I certainly did.
