When Disaster Strikes
3 total works
Extreme Hurricanes and Tornadoes Another book of two halves! The development and geography of a hurricane/cyclone is explained, with the effects of devastating storm surges on land, why and where these happen, and of raging wind and torrential rain. Tornado Alley in the USA is the context for talking about those (quite mystifying) sucking vortexes, their anatomy and effects, with homes, cars and trees being tossed in the air and smashed up. When Disaster Strikes is a series that focuses on the science behind the worst disasters to have hit the planet, mainly, but not only, in modern times. This includes geological/geographical causes, the changing patterns of disaster (perhaps as a result of global warming), the destruction and environmental effects, along with human- interest stories, and the latest technology for predicting and warning.
Extreme Earthquakes and Tsunamis These two extreme events are of course related, and are equal partners in this book. We explain the geology of earthquakes, along with the effects of a sequence of shocks; typical rescue operations and the technology used for these; and how earthquakes may be predicted and buildings made to withstand them. We look at the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004 in detail and methods for predicting such events together with ways of preventing them from becoming worse in future. When Disaster Strikes is a series that focuses on the science behind the worst disasters to have hit the planet, mainly, but not only, in modern times. This includes geological/geographical causes, the changing patterns of disaster (perhaps as a result of global warming), the destruction and environmental effects, along with human- interest stories, and the latest technology for predicting and warning.
The molten rock just under Earth's solid crust sometimes erupts suddenly and violently, causing streams of red-hot lava and scorching high-speed avalanches called pyroclastic flows. Volcanoes can bury entire cities in ash, poison the air with suffocating gases, trigger earthquakes and tsunamis, and drastically alter our climate. Witness the world's most extreme volcanic disasters throughout history, from the Yellowstone supervolcano to Vesuvius and Krakatoa, and find out what could happen if they erupt again. Learn how volcanoes form, what causes them to erupt, and why the benefits may outweigh the dangers for the people who live near them. Discover the science and technology that could help volcanologists save lives by predicting future devastating explosions.