The Little Book of Earthquakes and Volcanoes

In this lay reader's introduction to the most spectacular and devastating of all geological events, Rolf Schick describes how earthquakes and volcanoes are related, and how they are an integral part of Earth's structure. Tracing the latest findings and theories in plate tectonics, he helps readers ask and answer the basic questions: What was it during the formation of Earth that led to these phenomena? Why do they occur in certain areas and not in others? How can we, within reason, protect ourselves from their devastation? And how far have we come, and how far can we go, in predicting when they will strike? For the reader who wants a concise and accessible guide to what makes the ground shake and explode, this is the perfect introduction.

From the reviews:

"It is an original, quite attractive approach to science dissemination. … it provides a logical, step-by-step explanation of the basic principles and parameters of the internal dynamics of the earth, and when events are not yet clearly understood, it says so as well. … As may be expected of pocket editions on basic sciences, special attention is given to make the text concise, witty … . Many viewpoints are original, based on thermodynamics as the unifying scientific approach … ." (Michiel Dusar, Geologica Belgica, Vol. 6 (3-4), 2003)

"This small format book … conveys a great deal of information about what makes the ground shake and explode. This is … straightforward, accessibly written text." (SciTech Book News, September, 2002)

"How solid is Earth? Schick answers this question in this succinct look at the hows and whys of geological disturbances. In what is essentially a printed seminar on volcanic activity and earthquakes, Schick charts the history of their study and offers explanations for some of the causes of such events." (Science News, July, 2002)

"The little book of earthquakes and volcanoes is a tautly written piece of popular science that provides a simulating introduction to the disciplines of seismology and volcanology. … While the breadth of subject matter is necessarily comprehensive, the author presents selected themes relevant to each field, some in more depth than others. … Rolf Schick … adopts a scientific, yet accessible, approach to explaining some of the fundamental theories regarding why the Earth shakes and why volcanoes explode." (Rob Wright, The Holocene, Vol. 13 (5), 2003)

"It is full of the scientific background necessary for the interested reader to acquaint themselves with the prevailing theory behind the formation of both earthquakes and volcanoes. … There is enough mathematics to reinforce the major points, and enough examples andanecdotes to liven the topic. … It is an overview for the interested layperson, but could also serve as a very useful book for the teacher of Earth Sciences, for Schick’s succinct style is able to convey a great deal of information … ." (David Dixon, Lab News, February/March, 2002)

"It is full of the scientific background necessary for the interested reader to acquaint themselves with the prevailing theory behind the formation of both earthquakes and volcanoes. … There is enough mathematics to reinforce the major points, and enough examples and anecdotes to liven the topic. … It is an overview for the interested layperson, but could also serve as a very useful book for the teacher of Earth Sciences, for Schick’s succinct style is able to convey a great deal of information … ." (David Dixon, Lab News, February/March, 2002)

"In The Little Book of Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Rolf Schick describes how earthquakes and volcanoes are related, and how they are an integral part of Earth’s structure. Tracing the latest findings and theories in plate tectonics, he helps readers ask and answer the basic questions: What was it during the formation of Earth that led to these phenomena? Why do they occur in certain areas and not in others? How can we, within reason, protect ourselves from their devastation?" (Science in Africa, August, 2002)