Erfurt-Cooper P. (ed.) Volcanic Tourist Destinations

Springer, 2014. — 377 p.For centuries people have been attracted by volcanic landscapes. Whether active or dormant, the unique dynamics of volcanic environments have encouraged travellers to visit to the remotest locations. Artists have been inspired to paint volcanoes such as the perfect shape of Mt. Fuji or Mt. Vesuvius erupting. Volcanoes have provided archaeologists with history and scientists with landscapes buried and preserved under layers of volcanic ash with examples including Pompeii and Herculaneum (Vesuvius), the Caribbean island of Montserrat (Soufrie`re Hills), the landscape that was buried by Mt. St. Helens and many others. Volcanoes have featured as dramatic backdrops in movies and as major topics in the literature, scientific as well as fiction, and have been regarded as an unforgettable visitor experience. Some volcanoes are easy to access tourist attractions, whereas others can only be found in more remote locations (e.g. Alaska, Antarctica or Kamchatka). While some volcanoes are visited for their special individual features, others are included in tour packages as highlights of the trip agenda.