Super Volcanoes: What They Reveal about Earth and the Worlds Beyond

“It’s Volcano Day!” says The Doctor in the Doctor Who episode “The Fires of Pompeii.” Like the charismatic time-traveling hero of the popular British series who takes his companion back to that fateful day in 79 A.D., this book by science journalist Andrews escorts readers on an adventure through space and time to the many volcanoes inhabiting this world and beyond. For each of the volcanoes or volcanic regions the book covers, Andrews explains the scientific and historical significance. He recounts volcanic events that were destructive to human populations, such as the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia, which killed 36,000, and the 2018 eruption of Kilauea which wreaked havoc on Hawai’i’s infrastructure. The author, who has a PhD in volcanology, also shares his enthusiasm for awe-inspiring super volcanoes (those with the largest magnitude of explosivity), such as the Yellowstone Caldera. Andrews guides readers as far as outer space, to the volcanic landscapes of the Moon, Mars, and Venus.