B RANNEY , M. J. & K OKELAAR , P. 2003. Pyroclastic Density Currents and the Sedimentation of Ignimbrites . Geological Society Memoir no. 27. viii + 143 pp. London, Bath: Geological Society of London. Price £65.00, US $108.00; GSL member price £32.50, US $54.00; AAPG/SEPM/GSA member price £39.00, US $65.00; hard covers. ISBN 1 86239 124 6

Ignimbrites are very common in subaerial volcanic successions, both ancient and modern, and are now recognized as the deposits of hot-gas-supported pyroclastic density currents generated by explosive eruptions. They are important not only because they are common – some of the largest must have been generated by eruptions more devastating than any yet witnessed, with worldwide impacts on climate and the environment. The textures and lithofacies characteristics commonly found in ignimbrites are, however, diverse. Precisely what goes on in pyroclastic density currents to produce that diversity has been puzzling volcanologists for decades. Pyroclastic Density Currents and the Sedimentation of Ignimbrites explores in detail the physical processes responsible for ignimbrite formation. The authors argue that deposition is primarily controlled by processes …