13 January 2012

The volcanology library: choosing the classics

Posted by Jessica Ball

Well, the interesting weather here in Buffalo (blowing snow, cold, mildly blizzard-like conditions, etc.) has made it an excellent time to get started up on blogging again. So here’s a new idea I’ve been considering:

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you’ll have seen the post I did on essential reading for volcanologists last year. Recently, a fellow grad student and I were having a conversation about “classic” journal articles/papers in volcanology – which were our favorites, and what we consider “classic” (this doesn’t necessarily equal old, but often includes things like review papers, which try to treat a particular topic comprehensively in only a few pages). She suggested that I try something new this year: every few weeks, do a review of one of these “classic” papers – papers that give excellent overviews of a particular topic, or were the first to suggest a now-prevalent idea, or are referenced by just about everyone at one time or another.

I think this is an excellent idea – and it will get me to re-read the papers, as well. But first I need to start by choosing the papers, and the problem I can foresee here is that my choices will be limited by what I’m familiar with. So here’s what I’m going to do: I’ll post a list pulled from my own collection, and leave it open for comments (and additions). What would you include or exclude? Are you more familiar with the impact of a paper then I am, and do you think that I’ve made a good or bad choice? What other papers would you add to the list?

Bear in mind that my choices will be weighted toward the silicic volcanism / lava dome side of things. I want to add to the list, though, so give me your suggestions!

So, that’s a start. What would you add – or take away?

ADDITIONS SO FAR: