Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Posted by Quake Focus on February 3rd, 2010
- ISBN13: 9780816071203
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
“Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Third Edition” brings the excitement of an ever-changing field of science to the fore-front. With the increase in natural disasters in recent years, the burgeoning world population is clearly expanding faster than our disaster reduction technology. This new edition provides a single source on historical earthquakes and volcanic eruptions from throughout the world. Updated with the most current information, this illustrated resource includes not only new geologic events, but also as many examples of historical earthquakes as possible for contrast or comparison. Coverage in the Middle East has been significantly expanded to include recent natural disasters, as well as events such as landslides and avalanches. Also, many tables were added to supplement the content and put the recent disasters into historical context.Amazon.com Review
From aa to Yellowstone, if it’s got anything at all to do with earthquakes or volcanoes, you’re likely to find within the pages of this updated encyclopedia from science journalist David Ritchie and Rutgers 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 phenomena (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 encyclopedia also contains 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 defense 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 organization 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 to a long, enjoyable read.) –Paul Hughes
Price: $12.57
Rating: 4.5 (5 reviews)
Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes
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February 3rd, 2010 at 6:30 am
Hi, I really like this book. It’s bben helpfully to me for my carrer. Thanks, Michelle Trzecisnki
Rating: 5 / 5
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:59 am
It’s exactly what the title says. Very dry, just the facts, but very extensive and detailed. If you’re looking for a great reference book or if you like to read concise factual summaries….then you’ll love this book.
Rating: 5 / 5
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:01 am
This is a handy book to have as a geology resource and would be most useful to any student of our earth’s seismic activity. Articles include material on historical eruptions and earthquakes, rock formations and areas of research and exploration. Unlike other works of this kind, the authors address each state of the US, describing the seismic activity recorded there. It turns out several are more geologically active than we imagine!
I give it three stars because I feel a much more thorough book could have been produced here. The authors could have gone into a lot more detail on many of the entries, especially the historical ones. As it is they simply lay out the facts in a dry, dull fashion. A few more months of work and research could have produced a five star work.
Rating: 3 / 5
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:03 am
In a unique and very handy A-Z format, here in one volume is all the information you are ever likely to need on these most dramatic natural phenomena.
The great earthquakes and famous volcanic eruptions are comprehensively covered, with clear explanations of the geologic concepts and terms, interesting photos and maps, and thumbnail biographies of leading figures in the study of these majestic forces of nature. A particularly interesting feature is the inclusion of each state with an evaluation of its seismic potential. (There are some surprises here). Highly recommended as a very useful single-volume introduction for libraries and interested individuals.
(The “score” rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not “score” books.)
Rating: 5 / 5
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:09 am
This encyclopedia begins with an entry for `aa’ (a particular type of lava flow) and ends with a page-worth of data on Yellowstone National Park. In between, all geophysical phenomena associated with earthquakes and volcanoes are covered alphabetically, including anecdotes on many individual eruptions or shakings, e.g. the Kobe earthquake in Japan.
I enjoyed reading the “Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes” but thought it must be a work in progress (I have the new edition) as there were many typos and one astronomical quibble:
* “Io is the hottest place in the solar system outside the sun (p. 105)”—actually I believe that honor belongs to Venus. Io’s average surface temperature is 130 K whereas the surface of Venus averages 740 K (hotter even than Mercury).
Another interesting oddity concerning earthquakes, is that the authors tend to favor the Mercalli Scale, which is based on ordinary human observations, rather than the Moment magnitude.
Not all of the black-and-white photographs are dated, and the cover photograph of a volcanic eruption is not identified (although a friend of mine from Oregon swears it is Mt. St. Helens). Ideally, a newer edition of this book will label all of the photographs, and perhaps include a few in color.
All quibbling aside, this is an interesting book that fills a useful niche. It will definitely remain in my reference library.
“Appendix B” which includes “Eyewitness Accounts of Major Eruptions and Quakes” is absolutely fascinating, and it alone is worth the price of the book.
Rating: 4 / 5