No Apparent Danger: The True Story of a Volcano's Deadly Power

Bruce's book is well-written and describes the geological processes involved in a clear and simple fashion.At first I wasn't really sure why she had chosen to write about both the Nevado Del Ruiz and Galeras eruptions, but it became clear that she was following the professional development of the Columbian volcanologists and the Columbian governmental response to volcanic disasters. The information provided about the politics and civil unrest concurrent with the volcanic eruptions and the effects on ability of the scientists to recieve funding, equipment and international help is VERY interesting.It's obvious that the most contraversial part of this account is the role played by Stan Williams as the field trip leader on the fateful excursion into the Galeras caldera. While volcanologists are aware of the potential risks associated with visiting a volcano, I would have wanted to be aware of the occurrence of the tell-tale tornillos. It didn't seem like there was a complete overview of the current state of Galeras prior to the field trips such that each participant could determine their own level of risk-taking. It was also not clear to me that Zapata in fact relayed the information about the tornillo during the morning of the trip to Williams. Did Williams know about the recent tornillo? After all, Zapata was the only one with a radio. As with any tragedy, the events raise more questions than answers.It seems to me that the tragedy was the result of many different small events that primarily become clear in hinesight. While safety measures used in previous trips likely should have been used during the fated excursion, _none_ of the scientists that went on the trip were completely unaware of the danger involved. Williams is not to _blame_ for the tragedy, but he is certainly _responsible_ for the people on HIS field trip, simply because he was the leader. It can be argued that he should have taken better precautions and that is where Williams's regrets should lie. It's obvious that some of the participants knew Williams's level of concern was not as high as their own and they intelligently chose to wear their own safety gear. (Did the other participants have access to safety gear if they had wanted it?)Regardless of the controversy surrounding the field trip, Bruce also does a good job of describing (and perhaps becoming somewhat involved in) the politics of science in general. When I started graduate school, I was completely naive about the politics of money, research and publishing - grant writing, intellectual property, etc. Bruce provides a brief but revealing look at how politics also drive science. Science isn't a clear cut, straightforward pursuit. Bruce certainly portrays this fact quite clearly in her book. I certainly recommend reading this book along with Stan Williams's book as counterpoint.

I'm writing to supplement my husband's review (chris sanders). He was Stan Williams' colleague and friend, was on the side of Galeras when it blew, and was Arizona State University's spokesman for Stan and the eruption -- and Chris backs Victoria Bruce's account unreservedly as the accurate version of the event.My addition is the perspective of a person near, but not central, to the story. I think Victoria Bruce has shown extremely clear insight into what's important about the story, and about the character of the players.From my perspective, Victoria has done science a tremendous service in shining a spotlight on Stan Williams' behavior. She's brought to light a personality type that, unfortunately, has all too safe a harbor in the scientific community. For reasons that are far too complex to discuss here, huge egos and forceful personalities have too easy a time dominating the scientific community. No Apparent Danger shows just one of the consequences of the actions of just one ego-driven scientist. I personally would be very glad if this book helps clear the paths for the many brilliant, innovative, hard-working, honest scientists who choose to spend their time expanding knowledge rather than promoting themselves and stealing others' ideas.Like Chris, I was also very grateful to read Victoria's descriptions of the Colombian scientists. Fernando Munoz is one of our dearest friends. I had always known and admired his passion for saving lives in Colombia; Victoria's book provided details of his story that help me understand that passion better. Victoria has recognized rightly that he, Marta Calvache, and the other Colombian scientists truly are larger than life. I've always seen it -- now I know better how they came to be that way.

No Apparent Danger is a stunning example of careful and diligent attention to details of the horrible human suffering due to natural disasters in Colombia in the last decade and a half. It explains the events through the words both published and from interviews of dozens of people who were involved.The book reads in a wonderful, descriptive way. From the earnest attempts of the scientists/engineers to understand the signals from Nevado Del Ruiz-to the flight from Arbolito during the eruption-to the devastation of Armero, the reader is left profoundly saddened. The idea that in 1985, lack and hindrance of scientific support from the government of Colombia was responsible for the death of many thousands of people is appalling.Strong people of Colombia are introduced to the reader who were coffee growers, engineers, and scientists all working to understand these disasters and to form plans and procedures needed to prevent loss of life and property. These people become real in the book because of the description of their lives, personalities, work, and in some cases, their heroism. The story of the explosion of Galeras is rich in detail because of the view of people who witnessed it from different places. The confusion in the city of Pasto, the anxiety and concern of the people hiking the flanks of the mountain, the agony of death and injury in the volcano, the search and rescue for surveyors. And the almost comical event where a scientist, TV cameraman, and reporter ended in a heap at the summit.I am moved by this book, which has described all of this and much more. I am pleased to know of strong, intelligent, and caring people who acted in brave ways in Colombia. I am pleased to read about the women who are dedicated scientists in Colombia and I salute the two women who by example (by running in to the volcano) started the rescue of the injured. It's remarkable.

From the moment I bought this book I could not put it down. Ms. Bruce's riveting accounts of the eruption of Galeras and Nevado del Ruiz kept me glued to my recliner! While the controversy surrounding the book sparked my interested, it was Ms. Bruce's writing style that kept me reading. If Ms. Bruce's puts this much heart and soul into her work, I hope she has some left for her next book.

I highly recommend this book. Victoria Bruce's account of the events leading up to the Galeras eruption and the tragic aftermath had me sitting on the edge of my seat. My heart went out to all the families who lost loved ones especially knowing that "apparently" this tragedy could have been prevented.