Reading summary

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Reading Summary
Chapter Summaries
Chapter fourteen of Bill Bryson’s book, A Short History of Nearly Everything, begins by talking about the fossil remains that were discovered by the geologist, Mike Voorhies in Nebraska. The fossil bed comprised a massive grave of a herd of animals such as rhinoceros, whose cause of death was concluded to the inhalation of volcanic ash 60000 years ago. This came as a surprise and geologists embarked on efforts to determine how Nebraska contained such a vast deposit of volcanic ash (Bryson, and Matthews 135). The findings led to the revelation that there existed a massive reservoir of magma beneath the surface known in recent times as Yellowstone.
Bryson adds that despite the distance between the surface and the core of the earth being only 3959 miles little is known about the geological process happening underground. The Yellowstone eruption is continuously mentioned with scientific research mentioned in the article expounding on the looming danger of the cauldron of magma in the region. Chapter Fifteen delves further into the history of Yellowstone’s volcanic activities dating millions of years ago. When Bob Christensen was undertaking studies of the park in the 1960s, he discovered that there was no caldera as was characteristic of other eruptions (Bryson, and Matthews 145). The largest magma deposit in the world is here, and it runs over 45 miles across and another eight in width.

It, therefore, follows that the Yellowstone National Park is a ticking time bomb and the outcome would be to the detriment of the population and the ecosystem.
Comparison and Personal Opinion
Unlike Bill Bryson, John McPhee’s book was premised on solutions that would be viable if a volcanic eruption occurs such as the one he talks about in Iceland. The lava-cooling operation incorporated in emergency response would be influential in saving lives and property following the uncertainties surrounding the hot spot. In my opinion, John Mcphee’s article was straightforward and would work for non-specialists with no prior knowledge of geology. Some of the geological processes contained in the two chapters may be confusing to individuals not conversant with the topic.
However, Bryson ensures that his article is a constant reminder that the worst is yet to come and this raises the question of whether by that time more information will exist on the earth’s structure and if the society will be prepared to embrace the impact such a catastrophe.
Work Cited
Bryson, Bill, and Richard Matthews. A short history of nearly everything. Vol. 33. New York: Broadway Books, 2003.