Volcanoes of Europe

Jerram Dougal

Description

Volcanoes are intimately tied to the history of humanity, they help forge the Earths crust and atmosphere, and they are very much an active feature of today. The archaeology of most ancient civilizations of Europe preserves the imprint of spectacular and volcanic phenomena while, in modern times life is still affected by large eruptions from Europes active volcanic systems. The eruption of Santorini, some 3600 years ago in the Aegean, probably inspired the Greek fables of Atlantis; the eruptions of Etna on Sicily are the origin of the forges of Cyclops and other myths; and the regular eruptions from Stromboli earned its Roman name, the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean. Eruptions in Iceland over the past few centuries have shaped more recent European history and highlight the dramatic effects that distant large eruptions can have on our modern way of living. This thoroughly revised and updated edition reflects modern research and is now illustrated in colour throughout. It presents the volcanoes of Europe, as they are today and tells how they have shaped our past. The volcanic systems of the Mediterranean basin, the Atlantic, and of mainland Europe are introduced and described in clear prose with a minimum of technical jargon. Some of Europes ancient volcanic systems is also described as these have been fundamental in shaping the science of volcanology. The origins, history and development of Europes volcanoes is presented against a background of their environmental aspects and contemporary activity. Special attention is given to the impact of volcanoes on the people who live on or around them. The book is written for student, amateur and professional earth scientists alike. To help guide the reader, a glossary of volcanic terms is included together with a vocabulary of volcanic terms used in European languages.

Sujets

• Sciences et techniques
• Europe

Informations

• Publié par: Dunedin Academic Press
• Date de parution: 16 mars 2017
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781780465630
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 7 Mo

Extrait

Volcanoes of Europe
Second edition
Dougal Jerram
Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics, University of Oslo and DougalEARTH Ltd
Alwyn Scarth
formerly University of Dundee
Jean-Claude Tanguy
Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris
Contents
 
Preface
Authorship and Acknowledgements
C hapter 1
INTRODUCTION
Intoduction
Igneous rock types
Why rocks melt and where volcanoes occur
Types of volcano
Types and scales of eruption
The largest eruptions – Large Igneous Provinces
The plumbing systems of volcanoes
Understanding the volcanoes of Europe
The Mediterranean volcanoes
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Summary
C hapter 2
ITALY
Introduction
CAMPANIA
Vesuvius
The Phlegraean Fields
Ischia
AEOLIAN ISLANDS
Stromboli
Vulcano
Lìpari
Alicudi
Filicudi
Salina
Panarea
Seamounts
SICILY
Etna
Pantelleria
Graham Bank and Foerstner Bank
C hapter 3
GREECE
Introduction
Santoríni
Mílos
Méthana
Nísyros
Kós
Offshore volcanism – the hidden extent of the arc
C hapter 4
SPAIN
Introduction
Tenerife
El Hierro
Lanzarote
Fuerteventura
La Palma
Gran Canaria
La Gomera
C hapter 5
PORTUGAL
Introduction
São Miguel
Santa Maria
Terceira
Graciosa
São Jorge
Pico
Faial
Flores and Corvo
C hapter 6
ICELAND
Introduction
The plateau basalts and old volcanoes
The active volcanic zone
The northern active volcanic zone
Subglacial volcanoes
Shield volcanoes
Plinian eruptions in Iceland
Tubes, tunnels and chambers
Hydrothermal activity
The island volcanoes
C hapter 7
NORWAY
Introduction
Jan Mayen
Svalbard archipelago – the volcanoes of Spitsbergen Undersea volcanic activity – Loki’s Castle
C hapter 8
FRANCE
Introduction
The Chaîne des Puys
C hapter 9
GERMANY
Introduction
East Eifel
West Eifel
Bibliography
Glossary
Vocabulary
Eruptions in Europe in historical times
Index
Preface
Europe, despite its many changes through history, has been home to volcanoes for many millions of years. These volcanoes pay no attention to human foibles such as historical periods, political boundaries (and how they change) and scientific definitions. Thus, the title Volcanoes of Europe disguises several kinds of arbitrary choices. We have included, for instance, the Canary Islands and the mid-Atlantic islands of Jan Mayen, Iceland, Svalbard, and the Azores within the European umbrella, although two of the Azores and half of Iceland belong to the North American plate, and the Canary Islands belong to the African plate. On the other hand, we do not describe the volcanoes of Turkey and the Caucasus, which many would, no doubt, call European.
It is altogether more difficult to define those volcanoes that are active, dormant, or extinct. Volcanoes do not always display the secrets of their past, nor do they always reveal their future intentions. Several times, even in the course of the twentieth century, expert volcanologists have been puzzled – not to say surprised – when certain volcanoes have suddenly burst into life after a long period of calm. Volcanoes are generally considered active if they have erupted in the last 10,000 years, though such a value may include volcanoes that are effectively extinct. It is also valuable to consider the older records of many of the volcanic areas as they help reveal how these spectacular landscapes develop and grow.
The notion of historical time is also extremely flexible, and historical records count for little within the defined span of 10,000 years. Even within the limited European context, the period during which eruptions could actually be recorded has varied greatly from place to place. Probably no volcano on Earth has a longer recorded history than Etna, where eye-witness accounts have recorded its eruptions, with admittedly varying degrees of fantasy, for thousands of years. However, the Italian volcanoes were in an exceptionally favoured position in the classical world. On the other hand, records in Iceland extend back only to the early centuries after the settlement in AD874, and no human being even settled in the Azores until 1439.
Beyond the historical context, accurate dates of eruptions are only just becoming available in many areas. The traditional methods of geological dating by fossils and stratigraphy are very hard to apply to volcanic edifices. The timespan is too short; the volcanic products preserve few animal or vegetal remains; and the erosion of valleys and their subsequent occupation by further lavas make large and active volcanoes a stratigrapher’s nightmare. In many cases, too, the most recent eruptions have masked the products of their predecessors to such an extent that the story of the volcano can be difficult to read.
In recent decades, new techniques of absolute dating have done much to overcome these handicaps. Radiocarbon dates have been calibrated with greater precision, and volcanic rocks can be dated by thermoluminescence, argon dates (K–AR, Ar–Ar), and palaeomagnetic and archaeomagnetic studies, among other techniques. A whole range of these techniques is now being applied, especially to those more dangerous volcanoes whose tempestuous past must be discovered before their future furies can be predicted with accuracy. Nevertheless, the absolute dates of many European eruptions have yet to be established.
The availability of information is a further element that imposes its own limitations on any treatment of European volcanoes. In spite of the boom in volcanological research during the past few decades, some volcanoes are still imperfectly known. Thus, several Italian volcanoes are in intensive care, whereas those in the Azores, for instance, have undeservedly progressed little beyond the waiting list. Consequently, the balance and the treatment of active European volcanoes is, in part at least, influenced by the amount of the scientific literature that is available. The most recent of eruptions are being recorded at great length with a whole array of digital technologies from the ground, the air and up into space with satellites. Yet the older eruptions require the diligent studies of many scientists, and for the information to be made into the public domain. In this context, this contribution has used the wealth of information made available by the scientific and public communities that work on the volcanoes of Europe, as well as those gained by the authors in their volcanic careers.
Volcanoes hold a fascination that we have from a young age, and it is something that we would like to foster. The chief aim of this study is to stimulate a wide range of readers to encourage them to take an active, informed interest in some of the most sublime and fascinating volcanic features in the natural world and, especially, to go and see them. You can, in Europe, go and see an active volcano such as Stromboli, or explore ancient remains of these natural wonders. Aesthetic rewards will also enhance any scientific or knowledge-gaining pilgrimages, because the European volcanoes embellish landscapes beyond compare.
Authorship and acknowledgements
This updated colour version of Volcanoes of Europe has been put together by Dougal Jerram, expanding on the original content and scope of the first book, and with some new colour images provided by Jean-Claude. Updated colour images are used throughout, and new information is also included on the latest eruptions that have occurred. As with any of these ventures, debt is owed to many individuals and groups who have offered direct help, informative discussions over the years, and who have shared in a passion for earth science and particularly volcanoes. I will not be able to give credit to all here, but you know who you are. I must thank those who took part as Meet the Scientists: Matteo Lupi, Dave Pyle, Val Troll, Helen Robinson, Steffi Burchardt, Sigurður Gíslason, and Ben van Wyk de Vries, who also supplied materials. Specific help with parts and materials was also given by: Don Kaiser, John Howell, Angelo Cristaudo, Paraskevi Nomikou, Vikki Martin, Brian McMorrow, Josef Schalch, Sarah Gordee, Juan Carlos Carracedo, Alfredo Lainez Concepción, Breno Waichel, Paul Cole, Carlos Miguel, João Luís Gaspar, Abigail Barker, Frances Deegan, Morgan Jones, Sverre Planke, John Millett, Henrick Svensen, Reidar Trønnes, Torgeir Andersen, Trond Trosvik, Bæring Steinþórsson, Thórdís Högnadóttir, Jón Viðar Sigurðsson, Allan Treiman, Rolf Pedersen, Pierre Boivin, Cecile Olive-Garcia, Jörg Busch, Walter Müller, Universal Postal Union, TodoTenerife Team, Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Kappest/Vulkanpark, National Geopark Laacher See, US Geological Survey, NASA. Also, those people who made materials available to use through creative commons licences (credited along with the specific pictures) and from the Shutterstock archive. In the final construction of the book I give specific thanks to Helen Robinson for redrafting some original images, Francis Abbott for his efforts with Spain images, and Ben van Wyk de Vries for many efforts (both text and figures) within the chapter on France, as well as Anne Morton, David McLeod and Sue Butterworth for their great work in copy-editing, drafting and design and indexing. Final thanks to Anthony Kinahan at Dunedin for his continued support for the Volcanoes of Europe project. Dougal Jerram (August 2016).
In the original B/W edition Jean-Claude Tanguy was primarily responsible for the sections on Etna, Vesuvius, Pantelleria and parts of the Aeolian Islands. Alwyn Scarth bore the responsibility for the remaining chapters; he gratefully acknowledges the invaluable assistance of Juan-Carlos Carracedo, Victor Hugo Forjaz, Harry Hine, Maxime Le Goff, and especially Anthony Newton.
The photographs without explicit credits were taken by the authors.
Chapter 1
An introduction to volcanology, igneous rocks and the volcanoes of Europe
There are a magnitude of varying processes