Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes - Hardcover

Ritchie, David; Gates, Alexander

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0816043728 ISBN 13: 9780816043729

Publisher: Facts On File Inc, 2001

Synopsis

Few events in nature are as awe-inspiring and destructive as a powerful earthquake or a massive volcanic eruption. The Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes explains the science of seismology and volcanology through facts about the disasters themselves, historical and eyewitness accounts, and how they affect the political landscape. Completely revised and updated, this concise A-to-Z resource covers: * Various regions of the world and their seismic and/or volcanic activities * Specific major eruptions and earthquakes throughout history * Geologic or scientific terms * People who have left their mark on these fields of science.

About this title

Review:

From aa to Yellowstone, if it's got anything at all to do with earthquakes or volcanoes, you're likely to find it within the pages of the updated Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes from science journalist David Ritchie and geology professor Alexander Gates.

The 1,000-plus alphabetical listings range from historical volcanoes and quakes (both famous and obscure) to entries on specific seismic phenomenon (everything from parasitic cones to jökulhlaup) and general geological principles, including a few excellent in-depth discussions on topics like plate tectonics and seismic wave types. The encyclopaedia also includes a lengthy bibliography, a list of Internet resources, a chronological listing of notable quakes and eruptions, and a handful of unforgettable eyewitness accounts (after the eruption of Vesuvius in A.D.79, apparently Pliny the Elder's party went out "having pillows tied upon their heads with napkins; and this was their whole defence against the storm of stones that fell around them").

With its clear, newspaper-style entries, the Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes will be navigable even to geo-newbies, but its a-to-z organisation makes it more useful as a reference than as a stand-alone text. Then again, given its liberal cross-referencing, you can easily find yourself led onto a long, enjoyable read. --Paul Hughes

Review:

"...highly informative, authentic, and acutely relevant..." - CHOICE"

About this edition

• Publisher: Facts On File Inc
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0816043728
• ISBN 13: 9780816043729
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 320