This book provides a detailed introduction to natural disasters and the ways in which they have had and continue to have, profound effects on human society.
Natural Disasters: A Reference Handbook surveys the impact of these events on human civilization. The opening chapter provides a general history and background of the major types of natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, severe storms, and forest fires. The information presented in this introduction allows the reader to better understand current issues, problems, and solutions related to natural disasters discussed in subsequent chapters.
The book covers the role of natural disasters in human life from earliest recorded history (and, to some extent, even earlier) to the present day. It provides an extensive variety of resources that encourage readers to learn more about the topics discussed. The book is intended for readers in the late middle school to high school age range, as well as adults who may have a special interest in the subject.
Table of Contents:
Preface,
1 Background and History,
Natural Disasters in Human History,
Earthquakes,
Significant Earthquakes in History,
Important Earthquakes in U.S. History,
Tsunamis,
Volcanic Eruptions,
Significant Volcanic Eruptions in History,
Volcanic Eruptions in the United States,
Extreme Weather,
Tornadoes,
Hurricanes,
Typhoons and Cyclones,
Floods,
Floods in Recorded History,
Floods in the United States,
Forest Fires,
Other Types of Natural Disasters,
Mass Wasting,
Drought and Famine,
Limnic Eruptions,
Sinkholes,
The Genesis of Natural Disasters,
Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions,
Facts about Earthquakes,
The Genesis of Earthquakes,
The Genesis of Severe Storms,
Tornadoes,
Hurricanes,
References,
2 Problems, Controversies, and Solutions,
The Impact of Human Activities on Natural Disasters,
Earthquakes,
Problems,
Solutions,
Sinkholes,
Landslides,
Problems,
Solutions,
Forest Fires,
Problems,
Solutions,
Floods,
Problems,
Solutions,
Drought,
Problems,
Solutions,
Extreme Weather and Climate Change,
Climate Change,
Extreme Weather,
Other Natural Disasters,
Preparation and Recovery,
Warning Systems,
Recovery,
Conclusion,
References,
3 Perspectives,
Who Is Pele: A Native Hawaiian Perspective by Wendy Awai-Dakroub,
Unnatural Disasters by Trudy E. Bell,
Understanding the Communication Gaps between Disaster Prediction and Public Response by Sean Ernst,
Red Tide: The Insidious Killer by ChrisAnn Silver Esformes,
The Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900 by Madeline Clark Frank,
After the Disaster: What Are the Next Steps? by Eloise Merrifield,
Pele Says Hello by Chloe Olewitz,
Some Confessions of a Lifelong Storm Chaser by Lane Ponsart,
4 Profiles,
American Red Cross,
Americares,
Disaster Research Center (University of Delaware),
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
Tetsuya Fujita (1920–1998),
Landslides Hazards Program,
Giuseppe Mercalli (1850–1914),
National Integrated Drought Information System,
Natural Hazards Center (University of Colorado),
Christopher G. Newhall (1948–),
Office of Wildland Fire,
Charles F. Richter (1900–1985),
Seismological Society of America,
Stephen Self (1946–),
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction,
Alfred Wegener (1880–1930),
World Weather Attribution,
Zhang Heng (78–139 ce),
Reference,
5 Data and Documents,
Data,
Table 5.1 Deadliest Tornadoes in U.S. History,
Table 5.2 Costliest Tornadoes in U.S. History since 1950,
Table 5.3 Highest-Recorded Tsunami Water Height (meters),
Table 5.4 Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters: Summary Stats, 2017,
Table 5.5 Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters: Summary Stats, 1980–2017,
Table 5.6 Recent Changes in Earthquake Activity in Selected States,
Table 5.7 Seventy-Eight-Year List of Severe Weather Fatalities,
Documents,
Albers v. County of Los Angeles (1965),
Landslide Loss Reduction (1989),
Florida Statute 501.160 (1993),
Floodplain Management Strategies (2005),
California Constitution (Article 1, Section 19) (2008),
Alfredo Mejia v. Citizens Property Insurance Corp (2014),
Ladra v. New Dominion, LLC (2015),
Earthquake Safety Checklist (2017),
Assembly Bills 1857 and 2681 (California) (2018),
International Tsunami Warning System (2018),
National Landslide Preparedness Act (2017–2018),
Measurement Scales (current),
Summary of the California Emergency Services Act (2018),
6 Resources,
Introduction,
Books,
Journals and Articles,
Reports,
Internet,
Books on Specific Natural Disasters,
7 Chronology,
Glossary,
Index,
About the Author,
