The A to Z of Volcanoes:

The first A-Z in the Volcano series was an introductory A-Z of everything to do
with volcanoes. This second one is to do with 26 volcanoes that I picked out. I
wanted a list that contained enough of the usual suspects to keep the new comers
interested, but enough not so well known ones that those not a stranger to
volcanoes would remain interested as well.

Just remember before you comment, that only 26 volcanoes - one for each letter
of the alphabet - could make the version that goes to print.
----

A is for Auckland: The sprawling volcanic field under the equally sprawling city
of the same name – last saw action around 700-750 years ago and has an average
repose period of 800-1000 years.

B is for Baker: The northern most volcano in the American section of the Cascade
Range, and clearly visible from Canada.

C is for Cotopaxi: This towering Ecuadorean volcano is the tallest active fire
mountain in the world, and with an enormous robe of snow and ice mantling it's
summit a very real source of lahars.

D is for Dabbahu: This might have gone to Dante's Peak if it were a real
volcano, but it goes to a gem from East Africa instead. One of East Africa's
many volcanological treasures east of the Rift Valley, active as recently as
2005.

E is for Erebus: A volcano in the NZ zone of Antarctica with a pretty lava lake
in it's crater.

F is for Fayal: A volcanic island in the Azores with a summit caldera which
simply adds another volcano to my memory – brilliant!

G is for Galeras: the little Colombian volcano whose 1993 "hiccup" as one of the
survivors described it in comparison to other eruptions managed to bump off 6
volcanologists and three tourists – justifying volcanology's reputation as one
of the most hazardous occupations known to man.

H is for Hualalai: The volcano few would know and – until it erupts – even fewer
would care about on the flank of Mauna Loa – I always wondered what such new
looking flows were doing on the west flank of Mauna Loa....

I is for Iwo Jima: One of the first things aside from the barrage of Japanese
gunfire that the US troops coming ashore on this island in 1945 would have
noticed is the stink of sulphur dioxide of a volcano whose magma chamber is
refilling. Iwo Jima may end up being known for more than a bitter battle in
World War Two.

J is for Jefferson: One of the most spectacular peaks of the high Cascades in
western Oregon State, this volcano has a big question mark over it – is it
extinct and we are watching it's erosion or is it's silicic magma chamber
indicative of a possible highly explosive grand finale? I like finales!

K is for Kilimanjaro: The towering mountain on the border of Tanzania and Kenya,
at 19,340ft high has apparently erupted in Holocene times, and forms a
spectacular backdrop to the Serengeti Plain.

L is for Laki: This infamous volcano in Iceland gained it's notoriety in 1783
with a spectacular but disastrous fissure eruption. While the land was inundated
by lava, millions and millions of tons of sulphur dioxide and other gases were
pumped for weeks, formed a veil that filtered the sun's rays leading to, crop
failure and then massive starvation (10,000 dead in Iceland, Europe-wide
consequences).

M is for Merapi: A volatile Indonesian stratovolcano whose lava dome is as
famous as the beautiful temples in nearby Yogyakarta. An eruption at the start
of the 20th Century killed 1400 people.

N is for Ngauruhoe: This is for Lord of the Ring fans like myself. This is the
volcano that Peter Jackson modelled Mount Doom on. Ngauruhoe is one of the most
frequently active volcanoes in New Zealand and last erupted in 1975 – it's
current dormancy is one of the longer stretches since European settlement.

O is for Ol Doinyo Lengai: What other volcano in the world erupts sodium
bicarbonate lava – instead of the familiar reddy orange hue of a lava fountain a
black jet erupts, and when it cools, it takes on a greyish-white tinge. It's
flows erupt at a consistently lower temperature than other volcanoes famed for
their lava fountains. I think I can understand why the Masai people consider it
to be the "Mountain of God".

P is for Pelee: The Grim Reaper of the Caribbean earnt it's nick name when, in a
few terrible moments on 8 May 1902 – Ascension Day – 30000 people were killed in
a searing nuee ardente that tore through the pretty Martinique town of St Pierre
at breakfast time.

Q is for Qaleh Hasan Ali: I could have awarded this to Quito in Ecuador for
being possibly the luckiest capital city in the world, with nine volcanoes
within short driving distance, but instead it goes to Qal'eh Hasan Ali, a
volcano in the unlikely location of the Iranian-Afghanistan border – I assume
it's making sure nobody gets up to too much mischief...

R is for Rainier: Rainier's geologic history is as impressive – and alarming –
as it's physical beauty. This giant stratovolcano is a beacon for nature lovers
from all over the United States and beyond. Under that beauty a monster slumbers
– a monster whose past terror has manifested itself in at least 55 known lahars,
and whose next one may be sooner and bigger than anyone would like to think.

S is for Stromboli: Commonly known as the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean, this
volcano performs on average every 15-20 minutes and has apparently been doing so
for several thousand years. 90% of the eruptions are small and limited to the
crater or one of the steep gullies on the side of the volcano, but occasionally
a bigger one goes astray with consequences attached.

T is for Toba: It could have been for any one of 6 other volcanoes that came to
mind immediately when I started thinking about what T should be for, but it goes
to Toba in Indonesia. T is also for Terrible, which in the absence of any other
word starting with T that comes close to describing the consequences of Toba's
last eruption on ancient man – indeed Toba came terribly close 74,000 years ago
to bringing mankind to it's nadir.

U is for Unnamed: Thats how many consecutive unnamed volcanoes and volcanic
features are listed in the Global Volcanism Programme search engine – why don't
the features get named after the person who found them?

V is for Veniamininof: A regular performer on the Alaskan circuit whose last
eruption was in 2008. V is also for the many volcanoes and volcanic features
called Volcan, Volcano, Vulcan, Vulcano and I am not talking in general terms
about the 1500 known volcanoes around the world.

W is for White Island: Sitting quietly in the Bay of Plenty, this volcano
represents the northern end of New Zealand's Taupo Volcanic Zone. Continuously
steaming, this volcano rarely gets enough magmatic pressure up to have a proper
eruption – an eruption in 1914 demonstrated the folly of building anything
inside an active crater when it demolished the sulphur works on the island and
killed all 13 people there.

X is for Xianjindao: It was for X-Factor in the "A-Z of Volcanism", but in the
"A-Z of Volcanoes" I have to pick a name... and it goes to the said volcano on
the Chinese/Korean border which has apparently done more in the last 200 years
than just provide a beautiful setting on one of the worlds most fascinating
borders.

Y is for Yasur: This volcano in Vanuatu has become a bit of a hit with
volcanologists and others wanting a close up view of generally non-explosive
eruptions in this pretty part of the southwest Pacific.

Z is for Zheltovsky: One of a score of volcanoes dotting the exotic Kamchatka
Peninsula of eastern Russia that many volcano enthusiasts will dream of seeing,
but considerably fewer will ever know such an honour.
----

Coming up: The A to Z of Volcanoes - The Usual Suspects.

Rob

--- In WorldVolcanism@yahoogroups.com, RIVME@... wrote:

Hi all

>Nice job on this initiagood.  That said, I am waiting for the usual >suspects
posting.  The comments were really good on this one and you >put some in there
that I hadn't thought of.  Nice job, Rob!

Thats good to hear. Yes the one that you will all be waiting for will be
the Usual Suspects. This one will be a departure, because there will be no
obligation to do every letter of the Alphabet, which will be just as well since
I exhausted virtually all credible listings for Z,Q and one or two other
letters.

It's not that I left all of them off, as anyone who saw the previous A to Z will
know that I included a few big names to maintain interest. For a volcanologist
this will equivalent to the A List in Hollywood - if you still remember what
that is.

Rob

----- Original Message -----

From: reneehikes@...

To: WorldVolcanism@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 1:45 AM

Subject: Re: [World Volcanism] Volcanic Eruption in Bronze-Age Santorini

Thank you.  As I have watching the events unfold in Samoa and Indonesia, I can't help but think of the Minoans.  An entire bronze-age civilization was obliterated.  Not the earthquakes nor the ash fall nor the lava flow killed thousands - the tsunamis did.  They evacuated ancient Thera before the big eruption, but sought refuge on other islands such as Crete; therefore they remained in the path of the killer waves that followed.  As I am sure most of you know, due to recent research by Ballard, Santorini is now ranked the second largest eruption in human history.  With the power of millions of atomic bombs, the eruption reshaped an entire land mass as though it were a clump of dirt, exposing those majestic cliffs.  Yet the Minoans were real people.  I cannot even imagine how the Minoan survivors coped.  The subject has had my interest for fifteen years.  If any of you have thoughts on this subject you would like to share with me, I would be thrilled.   

 

In a message dated 10/8/2009 1:15:13 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, reneehikes@... writes:

 

MODS NOTE: Normally adverts such as this would qualify as spam, but in this exceptional case dealing with one of the great eruption intrigues of all time, I make an exception. Rob ---- I am very pleased to announce the publication of Cataclysm in Blue Water Available on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and Barnes Noble.com Available to retailers on Ingrambook.com The novel is a complex modern/historical mystery. It is also a detailed accounting of the Bronze-Age eruption in Santorini that eliminated the Minoan civilization from the world stage. It was my objective to put flesh on the Minoans of ancient Thera, and give the reader an eyewitness view of one of the most horrific eruptions in human history. The research behind the writing of Cataclysm in Blue Water was deep and thorough. There are three technical papers within the novel penned by J. Douglas Pitts under the guise of a character, the arrogant Professor Harris of Wellesley. Renee and J. Douglas Pitts are being hosted by Seaburn Bookstore on October 22, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. for an event. Seaburn is located in Astoria, New York. Look for additional details on the seaburn.com web site. Would love to see you there! Best Wishes, Renee Louise Johnson _http://ReneeLouiseJohnson.com_ (http://reneelouisejohnson.com/) _http://ReneeLouiseJohnson.blogspot.com_ (http://reneelouisejohnson.blogspot.com/)

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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Hi all

Possibly, but I think Renee is making a valid contribution talking about the
eruption of Santorini and the impact it had on the Minoan civilisation.

Rob

--- In WorldVolcanism@yahoogroups.com, "Antony" <rufus@...> wrote:
>
> Isn't this just a novel?
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: reneehikes@...
>   To: WorldVolcanism@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 1:45 AM
>   Subject: Re: [World Volcanism] Volcanic Eruption in Bronze-Age Santorini
>
>
>   Thank you.  As I have watching the events unfold in Samoa and Indonesia, I
can't help but think of the Minoans.  An entire bronze-age civilization was
obliterated.  Not the earthquakes nor the ash fall nor the lava flow killed
thousands - the tsunamis did.  They evacuated ancient Thera before the big
eruption, but sought refuge on other islands such as Crete; therefore they
remained in the path of the killer waves that followed.  As I am sure most of
you know, due to recent research by Ballard, Santorini is now ranked the second
largest eruption in human history.  With the power of millions of atomic bombs,
the eruption reshaped an entire land mass as though it were a clump of dirt,
exposing those majestic cliffs.  Yet the Minoans were real people.  I cannot
even imagine how the Minoan survivors coped.  The subject has had my interest
for fifteen years.  If any of you have thoughts on this subject you would like
to share with me, I would be thrilled.
>
>   In a message dated 10/8/2009 1:15:13 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
reneehikes@... writes:
>
>     MODS NOTE: Normally adverts such as this would qualify as spam, but in
this exceptional case dealing with one of the great eruption intrigues of all
time, I make an exception. Rob ---- I am very pleased to announce the
publication of Cataclysm in Blue Water Available on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk,
and Barnes Noble.com Available to retailers on Ingrambook.com The novel is a
complex modern/historical mystery. It is also a detailed accounting of the
Bronze-Age eruption in Santorini that eliminated the Minoan civilization from
the world stage. It was my objective to put flesh on the Minoans of ancient
Thera, and give the reader an eyewitness view of one of the most horrific
eruptions in human history. The research behind the writing of Cataclysm in Blue
Water was deep and thorough. There are three technical papers within the novel
penned by J. Douglas Pitts under the guise of a character, the arrogant
Professor Harris of Wellesley. Renee and J. Douglas Pitts are being hosted by
Seaburn Bookstore on October 22, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. for an event. Seaburn is
located in Astoria, New York. Look for additional details on the seaburn.com web
site. Would love to see you there! Best Wishes, Renee Louise Johnson
_http://ReneeLouiseJohnson.com_ (http://reneelouisejohnson.com/)
_http://ReneeLouiseJohnson.blogspot.com_
(http://reneelouisejohnson.blogspot.com/)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>   No virus found in this incoming message.
>   Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>   Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.8/2423 - Release Date: 10/08/09
18:33:00
>

http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Fire-Volcanoes-Shape-Planet/dp/0714857009

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.12/2431 - Release Date: 10/12/09 13:01:00

----- Original Message -----

From: reneehikes@...

To: WorldVolcanism@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 2:14 PM

Subject: Re: [World Volcanism] Volcanic Eruption in Bronze-Age Santorini

 

Tambora measures 7 on the VEI index (volcanic explosive index).  Santorini now is considered to be 6.9.  With a VEI index of 6.0, Krakatoa killed 36,000 people in 1883.  Deposits of volcanic pumice and ash spread 20-30 kilometers in all directions from Santorini - (10 to 80 meters thick or 6-cubic kilometers of ejected volcanic material.)  Some experts liken the power of the Santorini eruption to that of millions of atomic bombs.

 

I recall one passage in one research book quoting roughly 200,000 people.  However, the Santorini eruption is mostly referred to as a civilization killer - the Minoans.  What is so sad is that the frequent and worsening earthquakes drove the islanders to evacuate - only a work crew is theorized to have been on the island when the first light ash fall (just an early stage of the eruption) spelled the end of all human activity on Santorini for hundreds of years.  The tsunamis most likely killed the greatest number of people, followed by the famines which reached far and wide.  One report said tidal waves went 30 miles inland in Syria.  Egypt was somewhat shielded from the tsunamis by Crete which was devastated.

 

Trust me, I could go on and on.  It continues to take my breath away.

 

In a message dated 10/18/2009 4:45:14 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, rufus@bigpond.net.au writes:

 

http://climate.envsci.rutgers.edu/pdf/EGECTambora.pdf

 

So how does Tambora compare to Santorini, how many people do they think were killed in Santorini?

 

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.12/2431 - Release Date: 10/12/09 13:01:00

---

Internal Virus Database is out of date.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.12/2431 - Release Date: 10/12/09 13:01:00

Hi all

http://www.mnh.si.edu/down/

!!!! ???? !!!!

I hope it's for maintenance and not because of something disgusting like a cyber
attack.

Rob

--- In WorldVolcanism@yahoogroups.com, "Rob" <kiwi_geofreak@...> wrote:

Hi all

> The A to Z of Volcanoes:
>
>The first A-Z in the Volcano series was an introductory A-Z of >everything to
do with volcanoes. This second one is to do with 26 >volcanoes that I picked
out. I wanted a list that contained enough >of the usual suspects to keep the
new comers interested, but enough >not so well known ones that those not a
stranger to volcanoes would >remain interested as well.
>
>Just remember before you comment, that only 26 volcanoes - one for >each letter
of the alphabet - could make the version that goes to >print.

How did people find the A to Z of Volcanoes? I know that I said think before you
commented, but that was just to remind you the process of picking out 26
volcanoes from 1500 is easier said than done, especially when some of the
letters of the alphabet had 5 or 6 volcanoes that I could have chosen from. Now
I need to know before I commit the Usual Suspects to print, because it will be
awhile before I try this exercise again.

So, my question to YOU is how was the the A to Z of Volcanoes?

Rob

--- In WorldVolcanism@yahoogroups.com, "Rob" <kiwi_geofreak@...> wrote:

Hi all

> http://www.mnh.si.edu/down/

Still down.

Rob

Something is working .....
http://www.volcano.si.edu/

Paul



----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob" <kiwi_geofreak@...>
To: <WorldVolcanism@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 25, 2009 1:09 AM
Subject: [World Volcanism] Re: Global Volcanism Programme site down


> --- In WorldVolcanism@yahoogroups.com, "Rob" <kiwi_geofreak@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all
>
>> http://www.mnh.si.edu/down/
>
> Still down.
>
> Rob
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

In Breaking News this Hour:

The A to Z of Volcanoes - The Usual Suspects will be released later tonight.

Rob
Author of "The A to Z of Volcanism", "The A to Z of Volcanoes" and "The A to Z
of Volcanoes - the Usual Suspects"