"Island of Fire" front cover
Soufriere Hills Volcano, is the feature in the book, Island of Fire – by description –“The Natural Spectacle of the Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat” was launched on Friday, October 14. The book is said to contain a spectacular photographic collection of the Soufriere Hills volcano with captions written by the scientists.
Director of Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) Dr. Paul Cole introduced the launch proceedings and said told the small but diverse and appreciative audience that the photographs were selected from a huge collection taken by staff and colleagues over the years. He said the 66 photographs depict the volcano in a whole range of state.
Dr. Paul Cole, Director of Montserrat Volcano Observatory
Dr. John Pallister of the United States Geological Services (USGS) described Island of Fire as a compilation of spectacular full-page photographs and captions detailing volcanic activity, scientific work, and the devastating effects of the volcano over the past 15 years.
According to a pre-release statement on the book, UWI Seismic Research Centre said, Sir Howard Fergus calls this book a “gripping collection of photographs of a mountain on fire” and that it “depicts the multiple moods and colours of the mountain and its environs and the baleful effects of the eruption on people and places.”
Audience
Mrs. Jais-Ann Patterson, a geography teacher at the Montserrat Secondary School, told the audience at the book launch, that a quick glance at the book stirred positive reaction from her geography students. She noted that the book is a very good teaching aid as it encompasses elements of science, Social Studies and geography. She congratulated the MVO on behalf of the Montserrat Secondary School for what she considered as a brilliant piece of work.
She further described the book as an educational resource and a treasure memorabilia. “Island of Fire captivated the attention of the reader from the very cover title to the end,” Mrs. Patterson said.
The teacher summed up her opinion of the book saying, it contains a series of high quality photographs, summaries and descriptions that revealed the past and current volcano experience in a live, dramatic and emotional way. “Island of Fire sparks greater insight of the physical forces and spectacular nature of the Montserrat volcano and also highlights the risky yet adventurous nature of the work of the scientists and the extensive monitoring done at the MVO,” she concluded.
Island of Fire was edited by MVO staff members Henry Odbert, Paul Cole, and Adam Stinton. The book is currently available for purchase at MVO and will soon also be available on Amazon.co.uk and in regional bookstores.
