Natural Disasters: Electronic Books

Earthquakes rank among the most terrifying natural disasters faced by mankind. When one examines the collective responses of developed societies to major earthquake disasters in recent historic times, a somewhat surprising theme emerges: not only determination, but resilience; not only resilience, but acceptance; not only acceptance, but astonishingly, humor. Elastic rebound is one of the most basic tenets of modern earthquake science, the term that scientists use to describe the build-up and release of energy along faults. It is also the best metaphor for societal responses to major earthquakes in recent historic times.

Natural Disasters in a Global Environment is a transnational, global and environmental history of natural and man-made disasters. Detailed case studies of past and present events are presented in a historical narrative, making use of the most recent scholarship. - Examines a range of disasters including volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, landslides, hurricanes, famines, and more - Highlights the role of science in studying natural disasters. Traces the transition of our understanding of disasters, from religious and superstitious explanations to contemporary scientific accounts.