Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No.8, 2013

Historical Changes in the Image of Volcanic Eruptions in Europe: An Encyclopedia-based Survey

(Abstract)

Wang Tao

Residents dwelling in European volcanic zones have left us with a large quantity of records on volcanic eruptions. Historically, the image of volcanic eruptions is multifaceted: Christianity sees volcanic eruptions as magic and fantastic, while encyclopedias treat them as natural phenomena, representing man’s new perception of the nature and firing the enthusiasm of volcanic explorations. Different images of volcanic eruptions reflect different world views. However, volcanic eruptions also tend to be politicized and amused, which reflect the diversity of volcanic eruption images. The diversified images of volcanoes are not a linear mode of development. Underlying the images is the complexity of the European mind.