Fundamentals of Physical Volcanology

Fundamentals of Physical Volcanology is a comprehensive overview of the processes that control when and how volcanoes erupt. Understanding these processes involves bringing together ideas from a number of disciplines, including branches of geology, such as petrology and geochemistry; and aspects of physics, such as fluid dynamics and thermodynamics. This book explains in accessible terms how different areas of science have been combined to reach our current level of knowledge of volcanic systems. It includes an introduction to eruption types, an outline of the development of physical volcanology, a comprehensive overview of subsurface processes, eruption mechanisms, the nature of volcanic eruptions and their products, and a review of how volcanoes affect the environment. Fundamentals of Physical Volcanology is essential reading for undergraduate students in earth science.

Table of Contents:
Preface. Acknowledgments. Dedication. Glossary. 1. Volcanic Systems. 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 Styles of Volcanic Eruptions. 1.3 Volcanic Systems. 1.4 The Structure and Aims of this Book. 1.5 Further Reading. 1.6 Questions to Think About. 2. Magma Generation and Segregation. 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Rock Melting Mechanisms. 2.3 Volcanism and Plate Tectonics. 2.4 Melting and Melt Segregation in the Mantle. 2.5 Summary. 2.6 Further Reading. 2.7 Questions to Think About. 3. Magma Migration. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Diapiric Rise of Melt. 3.3 The Change from Diapir Rise to Dike Formation. 3.4 Dike Propagation. 3.5 Trapping of Dikes. 3.6 Consequences of Dike Trapping. 3.7 Summary. 3.8 Further Reading. 3.9 Questions to Think About. 4. Magma Storage. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Evidence for Magma Storage Within the Crust. 4.3 Formation and Growth of Magma Chambers. 4.4 Magma Chambers and their Impact on Volcanic Systems. 4.5 Summary. 4.6 Further Reading. 4.7 Questions to Think About. 5. The Role of Volatiles. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Volatiles in Magma. 5.3 The Solubility of Volatiles in Magma. 5.4 Bubble Nucleation. 5.5 Bubble Growth. 5.6 Magma Fragmentation and the Influence of Volatiles on Eruption Styles. 5.7 Summary. 5.8 Further Reading. 5.9 Questions to Think About. 6. Steady Explosive Eruptions. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Influence of Gas Bubbles Prior to Magma Fragmentation. 6.3 Acceleration of the Gas–Magma Mixture. 6.4 Controls on Exit Velocity. 6.5 Eruption Plumes in Steady Eruptions. 6.6 Fallout of Clasts from Eruption Plumes. 6.7 Unstable Eruption Columns. 6.8 Summary. 6.9 Further Reading. 6.10 Questions to Think About. 7. Transient Volcanic Eruptions. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Magmatic Explosions. 7.3 Transient Eruptions Involving External Water. 7.4 Summary. 7.5 Further Reading. 7.6 Questions to Think About. 8. Pyroclastic Falls and Flows. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Fallout of Clasts from Eruption Columns. 8.3 The Application of Eruption Column Models. 8.4 Pyroclastic Density Currents and their Deposits. 8.5 Summary. 8.6 Further Reading. 8.7 Questions to Think About. 9. Lava Flows. 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 Origin of Lava Flows. 9.3 Types of Lava Flow. 9.4 Lava Flow Rheology. 9.5 Rheological Control of Lava Flow Geometry. 9.6 Lava Flow Motion. 9.7 Lengths of Lava Flows. 9.8 Surface Textures of Lava Flows. 9.9 Effects of Ground Slope and Lava Viscosity. 9.10 Summary. 9.11 Further Reading. 9.12 Questions to Think About. 10. Eruption Styles, Scales and Frequencies. 10.1 Introduction. 10.2 Chemical Composition and Styles of Volcanic Activity. 10.3 Chemical Composition and Effusive Eruptions. 10.4 Chemical Composition and Explosive Eruptions. 10.5 Summary of Compositional Controls on Eruption Character. 10.6 Magnitudes and Frequencies of Volcanic Eruptions. 10.7 Elastic and Inelastic Eruptions. 10.8 Eruptions of Exceptional Magnitude. 10.9 Summary. 10.10 Further Reading. 10.11 Questions to Think About. 11. Volcanic Hazards and Volcano Monitoring. 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 Types of Volcanic Hazard. 11.3 Hazard Assessment. 11.4 Monitoring Volcanoes and Short-Term Eruption Prediction. 11.5 Hazard Mitigation. 11.6 Summary. 11.7 Further Reading. 11.8 Questions to Think About. 12. Volcanoes and Climate. 12.1 Introduction. 12.2 Evidence for the Impact of Volcanic Eruptions on Climate. 12.3 Satellite Monitoring of Climate Change after Volcanic Eruptions. 12.4 The Effects of Volcanic Eruptions on Climate. 12.5 Volcanoes and Mass Extinctions. 12.6 Summary. 12.7 Further Reading. 12.8 Questions to Think About. 13. Volcanism on Other Planets. 13.1 Introduction. 13.2 Volcanically Active Bodies in the Solar System. 13.3 The Effects of Environmental Conditions on Volcanic Processes. 13.4 The Moon. 13.5 Mars. 13.6 Venus. 13.7 Mercury. 13.8 Io. 13.9 Europa. 13.10 Differentiated Asteroids. 13.11 Summary. 13.12 Further Reading. 13.13 Questions to Think About. Answers to Questions. Index

About the Author :
Dr Elisabeth Parfitt is currently a Honorary Research Fellow at Lancaster University, UK, and has previously been a faculty member of the University of Leeds, UK and the State University of New York at Buffalo in the USA. Professor Lionel Wilson heads the Planetary Science Research Group in the Environmental Science Department at Lancaster University, UK, where he has worked for the past 37 years, and is a visiting Professor at the University of Hawai’i and Brown University in the USA. Both have focused their research on the physical processes that control volcanic eruptions.

Review :
"It is affordable and provides a great resource for students and researchers alike to develop a more quantitative understanding of physical volcanological processes." (Zentralblatt Math, 2010) "Well placed to become a required course textbook in many universities. It provides a comprehensive physical description of the most important aspects of volcanology and inspires the reader to delve further into the literature. The authors should be commended for doing this so well and in such a lucid manner. (The Journal of Geological Magazine, 2009) "An excellent all-round introduction to volcanology. The book is well illustrated and each chapter includes suggestions for further reading.... It will help especially in training advanced undergraduate students for graduate research in volcanology." (Geographical Journal, September 2008) “This book is a powerful tool for learning volcanology, accessible and appealing, adequate both for undergraduate classrooms and the shelf of most earth scientists with broad interests.” (Pure and Applied Geophysics)