Volcanoes

Mount St. Helens, a volcano in Washington State, had been quiet for 123 years. But in 1980, small earthquakes shook the mountain and steam burst through its snow-capped peak. On May 18, 1980, the volcano erupted, shooting out an enormous cloud of ash, gases, rock, and lava. The eruption killed 57 people, destroyed thousands of homes and acres of wildlife. Although scientists can examine warning signs to predict eruptions, volcanoes remain a dangerous natural disaster. Volcanoes: The Science Behind Fiery Eruptions explores the formation of volcanoes, what causes them to erupt, the various types of volcanoes, and how scientists study them. Book jacket.

Dr. Alvin Silverstein is a professor of biology at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York. Virginia Silverstein translates scientific Russian and is a professional author. Together they have written more than 150 books for young people. Laura Silverstein Nunn has coauthored more than thirty books with her parents.