Lopes, R. M. C. & Gregg, T. K. P. 2004. Volcanic Worlds. Exploring the Solar System’s Volcanoes.: xxiv + 256 pp. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer-Verlag. Price Euros 54.95 (+ VAT at local rate), SFr 97.50, £42.50, US $59.95 (hard covers). ISBN 3 540 00431 9.

It is always satisfying to report on a book that is not only up to date and technically informative but also a pleasure to read. This certainly true of Volcanic Worlds . After a brief introduction by the editors, Rosaly Lopes and Tracy Gregg, ten chapters follow, each written by a different author (in one case jointly by two authors). All of the contributors are currently very active researchers in planetary volcanology, and taken together these essays give an excellent survey of volcanism, both on the Earth and wherever it is found to occur on other planets and satellites. The standard of production, including the excellent …