Description
Donald and David Hyndman (both: geology, U. of Montana and Michigan State U., respectively) have updated their text for undergraduate environmental and physical geology courses (including those for non-majors) with a thematic focus on natural disasters in the US and Canada. The initial chapters provide an overview of the variability of natural processes and background in some of those that contribute to disasters (e.g. global warming, Nor'easters, wave and beach processes). Later sections address earthquakes and volcanos, hurricanes and other weather extremes, tornados, tsunamis and floods, wildfires, and asteroid impacts. Chapters examine the nature of each phenomenon, describe the methods used for predicting them, and make connections between the physical results of certain disasters and the occurrence of others. Major disasters from the 20th century are presented as examples, including discussion of their structural, social, economic, and human tolls. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Written by a father-son team of prominent geologists, Donald and David Hyndman, NATURAL HAZARDS AND DISASTERS, Second Edition, emphasizes Earth, the atmosphere, and the hazardous natural processes and events that dramatically alter them. In teaching introductory environmental and physical geology courses, the authors found that topics involving natural hazards are among the most interesting for students like you. They also realized that employing natural hazards as a thematic focus and context motivates their students to learn basic scientific concepts. You begin each chapter by reading about the underlying geological processes as well as the key terms that describe them. Next, you explore the impact these processes have on humans (as well as the impact that humans have on the processes). Finally, the authors analyze strategies for mitigating these hazards? physical and financial harm, and present prospects for the future. With over 900 images and illustrations, this second edition will certainly catch and retain your attention.
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