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The Geological Society is distributing the new video by David Lea and Professor Steve Sparks. You can order on-line at http://bookshop.geolsoc.org.uk the video is listed under new books. Montserrat's Andesite Volcano 1995 to 1998. David Lea has documented the eruption from its beginnings in 1995, and his spectacular video images provide the backdrop for this unique, educational project. The film not only tells the story of the eruption, but also looks into the major volcanic processes of andesite volcanoes, describes the products and effects of the eruption, introduces modern methods of monitoring an active volcano, and shows the human consequences of volcanic activity on a small island community. Professor Steve Sparks of Bristol University (UK) explains the phenomena and then takes you on a video field trip where you will learn about the plate tectonic origin of andesite volcanoes, lava dome growth, the chemistry and mineralogy of andesite, pyroclastic flows, explosive eruptions, ash fall, debris avalanche, volcanic blasts, lahars and volcanic hazards. Outstanding video of each phenomenon is followed by explanations of the deposits, effects and hazards in the field. This educational video was created for university students taking introductory courses in geology, earth science, and environmental sciences. However the authors feel that it will be enjoyed by a much wider audience, interested in understanding volcanoes and appreciating these great spectacles of nature. There will be a free guide accompanying the video, which will be in acrobat pdf format, and will be available for downloading on September 1, 1999. The booklet, which will be free whether or not you buy the video, includes an explanatory text of the Montserrat volcano, maps and a glossary. Montserrat's Andesite Volcano - a review by William I Rose Professor Michigan Technological University Volcanology and earth science have benefited greatly from educational films, which can provide vital reality to geological processes that professional geologists rarely (or never) actually observe. Excellent films at fluidal basaltic volcanoes such as Kilauea are numerous, but those that show activity of andesitic volcanoes are still rare, even though the hazards of andesitic volcanoes affect many more people worldwide. This 52 minute video is skilfully edited from an extensive professional video record compiled by Montserrat resident David Lea and documents the complex volcanic dome eruption which has profoundly changed Montserrat in the past several years. It contains carefully selected unique and dramatic views of a great variety of eruptions, their deposits and the affects of these deposits on houses, towns and cities. Aerial views provide vital orientation and perspective. Volcanic hazards can be incomprehensible, even to volcanologists, especially after hundreds of years of repose in a lush tropical setting. The Lesser Antilles are the tops of very hazardous volcanoes, and many people live in zones of highest hazard within a few kilometers of volcanic vents. This video will be a hallmark for documenting what can happen - what will happen at many other places. It benefits from focus on a single volcano but also includes much about modern volcanology in practice. It's academic content is skilfully crafted and actually narrated by Professor Steve Sparks, one of the world's best known volcanologists, who is a leader of the Montserrat scientific team. The video is excellent for earth science students at all levels - beginners will find it engaging and informative and professional volcanologists will also find it highly enriching. This is simply the best overall geological film about active volcanism at convergent plate boundaries. It is also one of the finest geological video field trips yet made. Fran Clarke, Marketing Executive Geological Society Publishing House Unit 7, Brassmill Lane Enterprise Centre Brassmill Lane, Bath, BA1 3JN, UK Tel: +44 (0)1225 445046 Fax: +44 (0) 1225 442836 Online bookshop http://bookshop.geolsoc.org.uk %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%