Earthquakes and Tsunamis - Civil Engineering Disaster Mitigation Activities
Earthquakes and tsunamis are two major natural disasters, causing enormous life and material losses over the entire world, especially in the developing countries that are not well prepared. Since earthquakes and tsunamis are natural phenomena that cannot be prevented, a series of measures need to be taken to minimize the losses. Disaster mitigation covers a wide variety of activities involving numerous disciplines. Civil engineering makes probably the most effective contribution to the mitigation of life and material losses in earthquakes and tsunamis.
The Natural History of Earth - Debating long-term change in the geosphere and biosphere
Ferocious debates have always characterized the interpretation of Earth history. After a generally quieter period during the first half of the twentieth century, controversies re-ignited in many branches of the Earth and life sciences in the 1960s. Plate and plume tectonics, cosmic catastrophism, giant tsunamis, the origin of ice ages, punctuated equilibrium, the Gaia hypothesis, and many more have all led to intense arguments.
A mountain explodes. The earth shakes. Powerful ocean waves crash into coastlines. News reports from around the globe often feature stories about such dramatic and destructive events. "Volcanic Eruptions, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis" explores the underground causes of these natural disasters and shows how scientists seek to save lives through greater understanding of Earth's wild and restless geology.
