I found this fair-condition softcover at a local Savers thrift shop. I've read other books about the huge caldera beneath Yellowstone; will see how this one compares.

Turns out it's quite good, touching on the geological history of the planet (with emphasis on the plate-tectonics theory - which only received widespread acceptance in the 1960's and later!), on the different types of volcanos around the world, and on the devastating effects of previous eruptions of the Yellowstone caldera, with forecasts as to what might happen when it blows again...

I was interested to see references to Death in Yellowstone, as one of the park rangers interviewed by the author witnessed some of the more horrifying and tragic items in that book. The accounts of many historical eruptions, from Vesuvius to Krakatao, were also of interest, and the author names other books that give more detailed accounts for those who want to dig deeper.

The section on the Ashfall Fossil Beds in Nebraska was perhaps the most riveting, as it demonstrates the power and devastation of a previous eruption of the Yellowstone hot spot in the form of hundreds of fossilized remains that illustrate the painful, slow deaths resulting from the ash-cloud - and this was nearly 1,000 miles from the eruption site!

I left this book, bagged against the elements, propped up on a signpost for the old Wheeler Farm foundation, part of Acton's Trail Through Time, at around 3:30 or so. Hope the finder enjoys the book!

*** Released as part of the 2015 TICK TOCK release challenge. ***