Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes (Facts on File Science Library) - Softcover

Ritchie, David; Gates, Alexander

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0816045836 ISBN 13: 9780816045839

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. This work explains the specific terms and concepts associated with the sciences of catastrophe - seismology and volcanology - and covers the places of the world where these destructive phenomena have occurred. Revised and updated, this A-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,and people who have influenced these fields of science. Entries include terms and concepts such as: caldera, stratovolcano, S-waves, liquefaction, harmonic tremors, and other topics. This edition contains: updated geographic locations and damage estimates for certain areas; enhanced contents on the geologic processes; new definitions of geologic terms; an updated chronology of important earthquakes and eruptions; and a sries of eyewitness descriptions ranging from Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD to Mount Pelee in 1902.

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"

Edition details

• Publisher: Facts On File Inc
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0816045836
• ISBN 13: 9780816045839
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 320