Deadliest Volcanoes

Gr 10 Up—Spectacular film footage of erupting volcanoes, along with informative graphics and narration, provides an exceptionally informative look at the causes, effects, and dangers of volcanoes around the world. The largest known volcano lies beneath Yellowstone Park and its eruption would be a worldwide catastrophe enveloping much of the United States in deadly ash and obliterating the sun around the globe. Naples, Italy, in the shadow of Vesuvius, is also in grave danger if an eruption were to occur. Offering much new material, the production emphasizes the international effort underway to study many active and inactive volcanoes. Modern technology is aiding the understanding of the make-up of volcanoes and the ability to predict their eruption in time to save lives. Using cosmic rays from outer space, computer-aided technology is now able to build 3D images of the inside of a volcano and increase the probability of accurate predictions of future cataclysmic events. With a comprehensible narration and an appropriate sound track, this program will be of interest to older students of Earth science, geology, and other related fields and lead to interesting classroom discussions. It may also open new horizons for students concerning the vast possibilities inherent in the study of science and the environment.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly Trinity-Pawling School Library, NY