American Museum of Natural History Research Library
author: American Museum of Natural History

Volcano! (Exhibition)
birth: 1979 April 22
death: 1979 July 31
Exhibition. Opened April 22, 1979 and closed July 31, 1979. Located in Section 1A, Floor 1 in Gallery 77 at the American Museum of Natural History. Volcano! featured volcanic materials, including lava and ash from Vesuvius, showed films of other volcanos in action, and explained the benefits of volcanic eruptions. It was exhibited in conjunction with the traveling exhibition Pompeii AD79 and was prepared by the Museum's Department of Mineral Sciences under the direction of Martin Prinz.
Summary
Volcano! featured volcanic materials, including lava and ash from Vesuvius, showed films of other volcanos in action, and explained the benefits of volcanic eruptions. It was exhibited in conjunction with the traveling exhibition Pompeii AD79 and was prepared by the Museum's Department of Mineral Sciences under the direction of Martin Prinz. The exhibition was designed by Donovan and Green, Inc. and the Museum's Department of Exhibition and Graphics (2, p. 49-50; 3).
Highlights (1):
*14-foot high column of volcanic ash at entrance showing layers of pumice that fell from Vesuvius during the 79 A.D. eruption
*Film by U.S. Army and Air Force of eruption of Vesuvius in 1944
*A virtual volcano experience for visitors using lights, rumbling sounds, and photographs
*Section where visitors could look into models of volcanic lava pits
*Section featuring volcanic disasters including Mt. Pelee in 1902 and 1500 B.C. eruption of Santorini in the Aegean
This is a condensed summary of the exhibition. For additional information, see Sources and/or Related Resources.