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The Illustrated History of Natural Disasters

  • Book
  • © 2010

Overview

Authors:
  1. Jan Kozák

    1. Geophysical Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic

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    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  2. Vladimír Čermák

    1. Geophysical Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  • Portrays natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions etc.) and covers many parts of the world throughout centuries
  • Contains about 130 unique historic illustrations picture natural catastrophes and their impact on human life and civilisation
  • Presents modern geophysics in an educational and enjoyable way
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (47 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xviii
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Introduction

    Pages 1-12

  3. Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis

    Pages 13-44

  4. Vesuvius-Somma Volcano, Bay of Naples, Italy

    Pages 45-54

  5. Etna Volcano, Sicily

    Pages 55-61

  6. Stromboli Volcano, Lipari, Tyrrhenian Sea

    Pages 63-66

  7. Phleghraean Fields

    Pages 67-71

  8. Santorin/Thira Volcano, Greece

    Pages 73-76

  9. Ferdinandea, a New Submarine Volcano

    Pages 77-78

  10. Volcanism in Iceland

    Pages 79-82

  11. Pico de Teide, Tenerife Island, Canary Archipelago

    Pages 83-85

  12. Mount Pelée Volcano, Martinique

    Pages 87-88

  13. Orizaba Volcano, Mexico

    Pages 89-90

  14. Jorullo Volcano, Mexico

    Pages 91-92

  15. Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala

    Pages 93-94

  16. Cotopaxi Volcano, Ecuador

    Pages 95-96

  17. Chimborazo Mountain, Ecuador

    Pages 97-98

  18. Antuco Volcano, Chile

    Pages 99-100

  19. Kusatsu-Shirane Mt., Japan, 1660s Eruption

    Pages 101-102

  20. Volcanoes of Indonesia

    Pages 103-105
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Keywords

About this book

This book tells the story of the Earth itself, explaining the interplay of its gradual geologi- levolution, presented as a generally slow and safe process, with the sudden manifestations of natural hazards, which involve disasters that affect the environment and lead to huge material damage and human losses. The natural forces at play, whether they are violent explosions ofvolcanic eruptions or almost imperceptible deformations of subsurface rock strata, nally- sulting in devastating earthquakes, all control the existence and destiny of a certain part of the global population. The development of man’s existence down through history has depended upon his understanding of the world in which he lives, and upon his ability to turn to his own best use the materials that were there for the taking. However, he has had not only to furnish himself with food, water, building materials, and energy to protect himself against occasional natural adversities. Protecting himself from them meant comprehending their causes, and the essential core of his understanding was in recording and depicting them. This book is written for anyone interested in the Earth in general, and in natural disasters in particular, presenting a unique collection of historical illustrations of volcanic eruptions and earthquake events and their repercussions. The book represents a golden mean between sci- ti c and popular works.

Reviews

From the reviews:

“The Illustrated History of Natural Disasters, by geophysicists Jan Kozak and Vladimir Cermak, is a timely collection of pictorial records of earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis from antiquity to modern times. … This events is well documented in the book which includes stories … . helps us to understand that catastrophes are part of the history of humanity while reminding us of the vulnerability of the human species in the face of natures wrath.” (Alexis Drahos, Nature, Vol. 465, June, 2010)

“This work provides historical accounts and folklore supplemented with images that convey perspectives on nature and the role and fate of humans. Kozák and Cermák … organized images primarily selected from Kozák’s personal collection. … Summing Up … Earth and environmental history collections serving upper-division undergraduates and above.” (L. S. Zipp, Choice, Vol. 48 (3), November, 2010)

“What a surprising book! … European earthquakes are the main focus of the study but volcanoes and significant tsunamis are also comprehensively discussed and illustrated … . This is a timely review of this disaster given the choice of Lisbon by the International Association for Earthquake Engineering to host the 2012 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering. … it will appeal to a wider audience those interested in the history of science and/or the conjunction of art and science.” (Kevin McCue, The Australian Geologist, March, 2011)

“The Illustrated History of Natural Disasters is based on a selection of reproductions of rare engravings from the private collection of one of the authors. … This book is likely to be of interest to historical geologists, as well as art historians interested in the geological background of the many striking works of art that have been produced … . serves as a very visual reminder to readers that these major geological events have been impacting on our society andshaping our history for centuries.” (Jan Lindsay, Bulletin of Volcanology, Vol. 73, 2011)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Geophysical Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic

    Jan Kozák, Vladimír Čermák

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