By - - PHYSORG.COM
Added: Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:26:32 UTC

The recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland upset airline bosses and caused a lot of fuss, but they were trivial by comparison with what could happen next, according to Clive Oppenheimer's new book.

If you thought the Icelandic volcano was bad – think again. According to a new study, the recent ash clouds that grounded aircraft and marooned holiday-makers were “just a taste” of the widespread air pollution, public health problems and agricultural crises that future, bigger eruptions could bring.

These are just a few of the conclusions of what, rather ironically, claims to be a “non-catastrophist” new book by the University of Cambridge volcanologist, Dr. Clive Oppenheimer, entitled Eruptions That Shook The World and published by Cambridge University Press.

It explores both the nature and history of volcanoes, showing how eruptions that we may think of as disastrous for their local communities actually had dramatic consequences for the Earth’s climate, and therefore sometimes for societies on the other side of the world.

Volcanic activity, Oppenheimer argues, was at least part of the reason for numerous major events in world history – among them the collapse of Minoan civilisation, medieval bubonic plague, the 19th century prairie trail migrations to the American West; even the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe.

That may not sound particularly non-catastrophist, but his concern is with sifting through real evidence – from the volcanic rocks themselves, as well as from archaeology, historical documents, mythology, and ancient climate records. “What we need is a reality check – a forensic test to see how far claims about catastrophes changing the world really hold up,” Oppenheimer said.

Oppenheimer believes that volcanoes remain widely misunderstood: “There is a lot to learn about volcanoes and they affect our lives in so many ways, even if we don’t live near one.” With, according to one estimate, 10% of the world’s population and at least 12 major cities now located within range of a volcano, a more accurate perspective is needed on what they can do, so that rational plans can be drawn up in preparation for future events.
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TAGGED: BOOKS, EARTH SCIENCES, REVIEWS