Overview

On January 14, 1993, a team of scientists descended into the crater of Galeras, a restless Andean volcano in Southern Colombia, when it suddenly erupted, exploding in a barrage of burning rocks and glowing shrapnel. When Nevado del Ruiz erupted in November 1985, it wiped the city of Armero off the face of the earth and killed more than 23,000 people - one of the worst natural disasters of the 20th Century. Expertly detailing the turbulent history of Colombia and the geology of its snow-peaked volcanoes, Victoria bruce links together the stories of the heroes, victims, survivors, and bystanders of these two events, evoking what it means to live in the shawdow of a volcano and showing how clashing cultures and scientific arrogance resulted in tragic and unnecessary loss of life.

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9780060958909

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Reviews

?The finest sort of journalism -- ferociously well researched and impossible to put down.?-- Sebastian Junger, author of The Perfect Storm A breathtaking story of scientific hubris and unimaginable tragedy. Expertly written and unflinchingly reported. -- Todd Balf, author of The Last River Harrowing...offers rich insight into the untidy workings of volcanologists and science in general. -- Discover Magazine A tragic story with explosive implications. -- Kirkus Reviews A vivid account....Bruce documents...warning signals Williams missed, safety precautions he failed to take and grandstanding opportunities he seized. -- Time Magazine A scientific thriller [that] shows how natural disasters are also the work of men... Memorable -- Boston Globe A shocking expose...The true story of two volcanoes in Colombia -- Glamour Heart-stopping....A gripping disaster story [and] a scathing account of human folly, arrogance and ambition....Bruce's mastery of the science is complete, her writing clear. -- New York Times Book Review Harrowing....Traces the fascinating recent history of Colombian volcanoes and the scientific community...in an insightful, spellingbinding account. -- Publishers Weekly A riveting tale of adventure and disaster. -- New York Newsday Ms. Bruce, a science writer...makes her charges stick. -- The Wall Street Journal

"?The finest sort of journalism -- ferociously well researched and impossible to put down.?-- Sebastian Junger, author of ""The Perfect Storm""A breathtaking story of scientific hubris and unimaginable tragedy. Expertly written and unflinchingly reported.""-- Todd Balf, author of ""The Last River """"Harrowing...offers rich insight into the untidy workings of volcanologists and science in general."" --"" Discover Magazine """"A tragic story with explosive implications.""--"" Kirkus Reviews """"A vivid account....Bruce documents...warning signals Williams missed, safety precautions he failed to take and grandstanding opportunities he seized.""--"" Time Magazine """"A scientific thriller [that] shows how natural disasters are also the work of men... Memorable""-- ""Boston Globe """"A shocking expose...The true story of two volcanoes in Colombia""-- ""Glamour""""Heart-stopping....A gripping disaster story [and] a scathing account of human folly, arrogance and ambition....Bruce's mastery of the science is complete, her writing clear."" -- ""New York Times Book Review""""Harrowing....Traces the fascinating recent history of Colombian volcanoes and the scientific community...in an insightful, spellingbinding account.""-- ""Publishers Weekly""""A riveting tale of adventure and disaster.""-- ""New York Newsday""""Ms. Bruce, a science writer...makes her charges stick.""-- ""The Wall Street Journal"""

Author Information

Victoria Bruce, a former science writer for NASA and science reporter for the Portland Oregonian, holds a Master's Degree in geology.

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