Recent earthquake activity in the area of the Caribbean islands of Saba and St. Eustatius was more than a mere fluke in subterranean activity: it is thought to represent a mild volcano-seismic crisis, in which an increased heat flow may result from either deeper circulation of groundwater or possibly renewed magma movement. This book, a landmark study in volcanology, contains the results of a profound study of Saba and the Quill, St. Eustatius, which provides a firm basis for the conclusion that both volcanoes are indeed active. The results were classified as confidential for very many years but at last are published for the first time here in full. Both authors strongly recommend routine monitoring on both densely populated islands and education of local island populations in understanding their volcanic hazards.

Oblique aerial view of northeast Saba showing the baslatic andesite lava flow with well developed levées, Mt. Scenery and The Level

This publication is heavily illustrated with figures, photos and tables of chemical composition of volcanic rocks from the islands of the Northern Lesser Antilles and specimen lists for Saba and St. Eustatius. This lavishly illustrated book comes in an exclusive case with five large maps of the region, two of them in full-colour, which offer a wealth of detailed information and which were prepared especially for this publication.

View of Saba from the south showing the prominent shoulder from which Mount Scenery rises

This magnificent volume is the latest work of a collaborative effort by the authors that has extended for over thirty years. M. John Roobol is a technical advisor to the Saudi Geological Survey and Alan L. Smith is professor of geological sciences at California State University, San Bernardino. Both authors originate in South Wales, UK and met coincidentally early in their careers, when they independently decided to carry out the same study on the same volcano, on Mt. Pelée, Martinique in 1971. This became the first of many collaborative studies that led them to write about the geology of almost all of the Caribbean islands, especially those with volcanic rocks. Volcanology of Saba and St. Eustatius, Northern Antilles presents a well researched analysis of the volcanic activity on these two islands, an invaluable resource for all geologists and volcanologists

The Quill from eastern St. Eastatius