That volcanism can profoundly affect the environment will hardly come as a surprise when one calls to mind the scenes of devastation accompanying large eruptions. However, the nature of these impacts can be highly complex, their extent anything from local to global, and their duration lasting long after ash has ceased discharging from the vent. Furthermore, many non-erupting volcanoes modify proximal sedimentary environments as a result of their geomorphic expression and orographic influence; the atmospheric environment through their emissions of sulphurous and halogenated gases and particles; and ecosystems through their release of heavy metals such as mercury, lead and copper. The theme of volcanoes and the environment is thus a rich one, and it is exciting and timely to see a publication devoted to this topic.
The volume is comprised of 15 chapters, each authored by specialists in their respective fields. The first four chapters serve as primers on the geological origins, eruptive styles and geomorphology of volcanoes, and cover also aspects of volcano hazards, monitoring and modelling. The remainder of the book is much more eclectic, and there isn't really an underlying progression. This makes it suitable to digest a chapter at a time at leisure, rather than a book to read through from beginning to end. There are reviews, for instance, on the links between large igneous provinces and Phanerozoic mass extinctions, and on the impacts of more recent eruptions on flora and fauna. Further chapters cover thermophilic bacteria found in volcanic environments, the impact of eruptions on global climate, and the medical effects of volcanic activity. But from this point, the content strays somewhat from the obvious implications of the book's title: remaining sections review geothermal energy, ore deposits, industrial uses of volcanic rocks, sociological aspects of volcanic hazards, and the economic impacts of eruptions. These are all authoritative and well worth reading (for instance, this is the best summary I have come across concerning the economic context) but the overall effect is to leave some significant gaps in coverage of more mainstream environmental issues associated with volcanism (such as impacts of volatile emissions on soils and aquatic ecosystems, ash fertilization effects in the ocean, tropospheric chemistry of volcanic emissions, and so on). There is also, arguably, more overlap with the Reference Sigurdsson, Houghton, Rymer, Stix and McNutt1999 publication Encyclopedia of Volcanoes than necessary, and only limited cross-referencing between chapters.
Nevertheless, the book represents a very worthwhile addition to the volcanologist's bookshelf, thanks to its unusual blend of topics, some from fields that are very rarely represented in volcanological periodicals. It is sure, therefore, to inform even the most seasoned volcanologists. In this regard, it compares favourably with the classic Volcanic Activity and Human Ecology (edited by Sheets & Grayson and published in Reference Sheets and Grayson1979) and may accumulate similar prestige over the years. The book also makes for an excellent reader for students – from undergraduate level up – thanks to its diverse coverage and review style.
