There have been reports of some localised fumarole activity during the past 100 years, and a new lava flow broke out only 20 years ago.
Whilst the events described in this book took place several decades ago, they remain uncannily contemporary.
It is interesting to note that the concept of natural selection as the sole force in maintaining polymorphisms went virtually unquestioned 15 years ago.
This goal seemed virtually unattainable not long ago.
Since their introduction over 10 years ago, oral contraceptives have gained wide and ever-increasing acceptance as a satisfactory and relatively trouble-free means of fertility control.
The rotation of political power to an opposition party more than three years ago has not ended the streaks of political corruption.
A century ago, just reaching it was the ardent dream of many explorers.
The suggestion that such 'traditional' cultures and identities are fixed and static has lost currency long ago.
