Published in collaboration with Le Monde, this reference work dives deep into the life of over 1,500 volcanos from the Pacific Ring of Fire to Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Drawing on the latest research, it clearly and comprehensively surveys the complex telluric phenomena at work on our planet—hot spots, subduction zones, mid-ocean ridges, the nuée ardente, lava flows, and the effect of eruptions on the climate—before moving onto other planets in our solar system. Geologist Arnaud Guérin assembles maps, technical diagrams, and his own professional photos from world travels to examine every aspect of these "mountains of fire" that have inspired fear and fascination since prehistoric times.