Out of the Crater: Chronicles of a Volcanologist

by Richard V. Fisher

Volcanologists venture to treacherous volcanoes the world over in the pursuit of their science. They work around craters of boiling magma and amidst smoke, flames, scorched rocks, and clouds of noxious gases--balancing personal risk against advancing knowledge about one of nature's most dangerous and unpredictable forces. Richard Fisher, a world-renowned volcanologist, has had more than forty years of experience in the field. In this book, he blends autobiography with clear, accessible science to introduce readers to the basics of volcanology and to the wonders of volcanoes that he has studied and learned to both fear and admire.


In the course of the book, we follow Fisher as he descends into the steaming crater of the Soufri re Volcano on the island of St. Vincent, as he conducts research on lava flows on the desolate south shore of the Island of Hawaii, and as he struggles to understand the explosion at Mount St. Helens. We learn about his pioneering work on pyroclastic flows and surges--the hurricanes of gases, molten lava, and volcanic debris that cause most of the death and destruction when volcanoes explode. He tells of solving a historic scientific problem at Mount Pelee, Martinique, where 29,000 people were killed in a pyroclastic flow in 1902. Fisher also offers a volcanologist's view of the explosion of Mount Vesuvius that devastated Pompeii and Herculaneum. He writes about the cultural rewards and challenges of conducting research in isolated areas of such countries as Argentina, Mexico, and China. And he discusses the early influences that steered him toward volcanology--including his army experiences as a witness to two atom-bomb explosions at Bikini atoll.



Out of the Crater is written in an inviting, nontechnical style. With its deft combination of personal stories and scientific information, it is an inspiring account of a remarkable life and a compelling examination of some of the most spectacular forces shaping the face of the Earth.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Memoir

180 pages, Hardcover

First published December 7, 1998

Reviews

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had decided to take a chance buying a hardcover copy of this book, hoping that it would be very readable. And it is indeed. In here he tells of his stories and little adventures around the world as he does his research on volcanoes. I am sure much of the work entails very boring stuff but he skips over that. Instead I got the idea that he was a very curious man who likes to ask "Why?" very often and so he tries to get the answer.

I also got the impression from the beginning of the book that often the work of a volcanologist starts by looking. In one example he had traveled to Hawaii to examine this tiny volcano. But it was a special type that was never fed lava / magma from underneath. In other words it had no underground piping. So how did it form? From what I read and how I understood it, he kind of figured it out by looking around. What was in the area? How did the lava flow from the big real volcano nearby?

And I learned quite a few new things from this book. Like that pyroclastic flows can have two different layers that can travel at different speeds and can actually go in different directions! I also learned a few new words like ignimbrite, littoral cone (that tiny volcano with no plumbing I had mentioned above), tuff, maar, base surge. I learned that aa type of lava can be a nightmare to get around on. You do not like aa as it will wreck car tires fast (and no doubt your shoes too).

But what I really liked in here were the countless stories he tells of his own personal experience. Like how he was in the southwest, driving, and he knew there should be a volcano up ahead. But he didn't see it. So he kept driving and driving. Where was it? And then he saw the crater! He had actually driven right up the side of it somehow! And that idea truly boggles my mind. I never knew that a volcano could be so... UNsteep? So gentle sloped? So you don't even SEE it until you find yourself staring at the crater and wondering where the heck did that come from?? I also never knew a volcano could be so sneaky! That would definitely freak me out!

But he has countless stories in here. He visits Italy and France and Japan and China. He goes to islands in the Pacific - oh and he witnessed the original bomb being dropped on the Bikini island! And then he swam in that water afterwards too. In fact it was seeing that huge mushroom cloud from the bomb that gave him the idea about pyroclastic flows.

He does some mighty risky stuff in here, like walking on the crater rim of an active volcano. Later he and his fellows go down into the crater. They were measuring stuff but he went to study the cracks in the crater floor - fumaroles - hoping the floor doesn't break because of his weight. And he makes it very clear how bad water can be to an active volcano. Did you ever pour water onto a hot pan? Scary reaction you get if you do that! Well the water can do the same to a volcano.

A few things, its hard for me to twist my mind around. Like the stuff about glass and clay and those minerals like potassium, calcium, etc. Makes me look at clay with a whole new perspective. I also never realized that glass could break down.

This is not an action book. Its a memoir where he spends time, often alone, out in the wilds (and sometimes in cities) trying to learn about volcanoes. He tracks how far old flows from certain volcanoes go... And he has seen the horrible aftermath of homes buried and crushed by the flows. He tells stories of his encounters with other peoples, the meals they fed him and where he stayed. Sometimes it was in tents.

Many famous volcanoes are mentioned in here including Mount St. Helens and Vesuvius.

The book contains black and white photos, a glossary of terms and an index. There are also book suggestions at the end of each chapter.

Mainly I found this very easy to read. It was interesting and I feel I have learned a lot of new things from this book.

The photo on the cover is Mount St. Helens blowing its top.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The brief mention Fisher made to how much he loved reading Richard Halliburton as a kid made me remember how much I loved reading Richard Halliburton as a kid. If anyone reading this also loved reading Richard Halliburton as a kid, please send me a message, because I'd really like to reminisce with someone about him!

(Also I did enjoy this book on its own terms; my rating has nothing to do with RH haha)

[Mudpig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! But this is my grandfather so I am 100% biased. Enjoy it!

[Hruotland · Rating 3 out of 5]

The bit of the introduction and the page or two i read confirm that this is pretty much what you expect from the back cover: An old scientist writing down all the anecdotes of his field trips that he used to bore his family with.

I read bits of the ”Germany” chapter, and it started off with mentions of breweries, medieval builders not using plumb bobs (?), details of the careers of some colleagues until he finally discusses a crater. The Nördlinger Ries. … I thought he said he was a volcanologist. Why is he discussing impact craters?
That was badly edited to boot. “Nordlingen” in stead of “Nördlingen” and some wording like “I will now discuss the detailed events of an event like this”.

I won’t spend any more time on this.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part memoir, part travelogue and part introduction to volcanology, this makes for a sometimes amusing, sometimes sad always interesting and informative little read. Fisher's voice is that of a traveling companion, albeit one who's been down the road before. For the general reader.

Please read full review here.

[Dee Eisel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of a memoir than I expected from the cover blurb. It was fun, but light on the actual science. I recommend it, but after books like "Volcano Cowboys." I am absolutely positive the writer knows what he is talking about. I just wished he'd share more of that with us!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book for my husband, who is fascinated by volcanoes. He doesn't really read many books, but I found it interesting.