Will the United States end at Yellowstone?

CNN is running a story today on the threat posed by the Yellowstone super volcano. A Yellowstone eruption, even a minor one like that which occurred 640,000 years ago would dwarf any volcanic eruption humans have ever witnessed.  Tens of thousands of people would be killed instantly, while hundreds if not millions more would die in the weeks and months to come.  Depending upon prevailing winds, much of the entire mid-west could be buried under dozens of feet of ash.  The earth's climate would significantly cool, taking years to recover.  Meanwhile crops across the globe would fail, as the sun would be blotted out for months by the massive ash cloud.  According to Physicist Michio Kaku an eruption would destroy the United States as we know it. 

It's terrifying and sounds like the plot of a novel, which it is.  In my new novel Unleashing Colter's Hell, a terrorist has acquired an atomic bomb with the intent of trigger an eruption of the Yellowstone volcano.  Grayson Cole is a park ranger who along with Dianne Harris a rookie FBI agent are all that stand between the world and Armageddon.

Scientists with the United States Geologic Survey, the National Park Service, and state and private universities are keeping a close eye on Yellowstone.  Volcanologist believe a Yellowstone eruption would give warning through increased earthquakes and gas venting, as well as massive land displacement.  Thankfully, no abnormal activity is taking place today and no pending eruption is predicted.   But one must remain forever vigilant.

What do you think?  Are you worried about a Yellowstone eruption?


Unleashing Colter's Hell is now available in paperback and kindle.  Get your copy today.

National Park Thriller "Unleashing Colter's Hell" Now Available On Amazon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE 8/29/12

http://seandavidsmith.blogspot.com/

Contact: Tommy Hough

E-Mail: tommy@primaryfocusproductions.com

Phone: (206) 291-4145

National Park Thriller "Unleashing Colter's Hell" Now Available On Amazon

Former Park Ranger Sean Smith Releases First Novel

Seattle, Washington – The first novel from former Yellowstone National Park ranger and parks advocate Sean Smith is being made available today on Amazon.com. Called Unleashing Colter's Hell, the book is receiving strong reviews from not only fans of parks and outdoor literature, but also mainstream fiction and thriller readers accustomed to the pacing of Robert Ludlum and Tom Clancy.

A taught, gripping page-turner, Unleashing Colter's Hell is also a thought-provoking and timely thriller, tinged with an unnerving ring of truth. "I loved it!" said former Capitol Hill staffer Tom Hill. "This is the epitome of summertime beach reading, made all the more compelling by the plot’s real-life disaster scenarios creatively pulled into one streamlined super-threat."

Under the tranquil setting of Yellowstone National Park lies a killer: the world's largest super volcano. The Yellowstone Caldera erupts roughly every 600,000 years, and according to scientists and seismic experts, the next blast is long overdue. A present-day eruption would destroy much of the central and eastern United States, and quite possibly western civilization.

In Unleashing Colter's Hell, a religious fanatic armed with a nuclear device is sent to the Yellowstone wilderness to trigger an eruption and spell the end of the U.S. Veteran park ranger Grayson Cole, along with Dianne Harris, a rookie member of the FBI's domestic terrorism task force, are the only two who stand between the world as we know it and certain Armageddon.

"Unleashing Colter's Hell will give campers and politicians plenty of reasons for sleepless nights this summer," said Tommy Hough, host of the Treehuggers International radio program. "Sean Smith uses superb storytelling, park and outdoor experience, and keen political insight to tell a plot-twisting, action packed adventure."

With a story spanning the world from North Korea, South America, to Yellowstone, Unleashing Colter's Hell draws upon science, history, technology, and current events to deliver a story with terrifying, tangible realism. "Unleashing Colter's Hell is a gripping rollercoaster of a story, ideal for someone looking for a great read while traveling to National Parks," said Debbie Bird, former National Park Service Superintendent. "Sean has accurately captured the work of Park Service rangers at Yellowstone, the world's first national park, which is even more reason to read this book."

Available now on Amazon.com and other on-line outlets, paperback versions of Unleashing Colter’s Hell are $9.99, and Kindle copies are $4.99.

Check back at Sean Smith's website for information on Sean's book tour appearances and readings, and to order a limited edition signed copy of Unleashing Colter’s Hell from author Sean Smith.

Does America have an Achilles Heel?

In Unleashing Colter's Hell, my new political thriller, the plot centers around a terrorist attack at Yellowstone that could lead to the death of the president and quite possibly the destruction of the United States.  It couldn't happen here many say.

Well, the Internet is abuzz today with news of a foiled terrorist plot to kill the president and overthrow the government.  The alleged scheme included several members of the U.S. military who planned to seize an army ammo dump, blow up a dam and poison the food supply.

In Unleashing Colter's Hell, the story hinges on a single man who with limited resources has the ability to inflict a massive blow that might ultimately lead to the destruction of the United States.  A bee sting to take down a bear in other words.

Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying that no foreign force would ever conquer America.   If we are to fall the threat, the 16th president stated would come from within. 

Yet is America truly that vulnerable?   Could committed individuals take down the country and destroy what has taken more than two centuries to build?  What do you think?

Park Science Protects our Future?

Unleashing Colter's Hell is available now on Amazon.

Unleashing Colter's Hell: Buy it now!

The National Park Service recently released its roadmap for preserving and protecting our natural and cultural heritage well into the middle of this century. The roadmap calls for the Park Service to plan for "continuous change to preserve ecological integrity and cultural and historical authenticity; provide visitors with transformative experiences and form the core of a national conservation land- and seascape." This plan is an update to the 1963 Leopold report that set the basis for the Park Service's science based management of its wildlife populations.

A strong understanding of natural processes, including continuous research, combined with dedicated staff and programs designed to explain the science behind park service decisions is at the heart of the agency's successful approach to managing our natural and cultural wonders.

Understanding and protecting the park's natural forces produces real societal benefits such as DNA sequencing and cancer cures.

The premise of my new novel Unleashing Colter's Hell, is of a terrorist trying to trigger an eruption of the Yellowstone caldera (one of the world's largest super volcanoes) with an atomic bomb.  A Yellowstone eruption threatens the future of the United States and quite possibly the world's civilization.

Before I began writing the book, one of my story sideboards was plausible plot elements. There would be no magic or supernatural phenomenon needed to move the story. In my opinion a plausible threat, such as the eruption of the Yellowstone volcano is more terrifying than mythical monsters or ghosts.

Over the next three years, I researched how the novel's villain might acquire an atomic bomb, smuggle it to the Yellowstone, and where to place the device to inflict maximum damage. Meanwhile, my hero who is assisted by Yellowstone's head of natural resource manage and an FBI agent, uses his understanding of sciences such as volcanology and his park service experience to chase down the terrorist.

The Park Service's recommitment to good science can give the public confidence that sound management of the national heritage will continue for generations to come. In Unleashing Colter's Hell, the Park Service Rangers uses this scientific approach to thwart Armageddon.

Unleashing Colter's Hell is now out on Amazon. Look for it here!

Colter's Hell has been uploaded

I uploaded Unleashing Colter's Hell to Create Space today.  The book file is being reviewed and should have the final authorization by Monday.  After three years of work, the book is nearly complete.  It should be available to sale shortly.