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Books on the shelves - Disasters
Natural Hazards by Edward A. Keller; Duane E. DeVecchio
Natural Hazards: Earth Processes as Hazards, Disasters and Catastrophes, Fourth Edition, is an introductory-level survey intended for university and college courses that are concerned with earth processes that have direct, and often sudden and violent, impacts on human society. The text integrates principles of geology, hydrology, meteorology, climatology, oceanography, soil science, ecology and solar system astronomy. The book is designed for a course in natural hazards for non-science majors, and a primary goal of the text is to assist instructors in guiding students who may have little background in science to understand physical earth processes as natural hazards and their consequences to society. Natural Hazards uses historical to recent examples of hazards and disasters to explore how and why they happen and what we can do to limit their effects. The text's up-to-date coverage of recent disasters brings a fresh perspective to the material. The Fourth Edition continues our new active learning approach that includes reinforcement of learning objective with a fully updated visual program and pedagogical tools that highlight fundamental concepts of the text. This program will provide an interactive and engaging learning experience for your students. Here's how: Provide a balanced approach to the study of natural hazards: Focus on the basic earth science of hazards as well as roles of human processes and effects on our planet in a broader, more balanced approach to the study of natural hazards. Enhance understanding and comprehension of natural hazards: Newly revised stories and case studies give students a behind the scenes glimpse into how hazards are evaluated from a scientific and human perspective; the stories of real people who survive natural hazards, and the lives and research of professionals who have contributed significantly to the research of hazardous events.  Strong pedagogical tools reinforce the text's core features: Chapter structure and design organizes the material into three major sections to help students learn, digest, and review learning objectives.
Are Natural Disasters Increasing? by Roman Espejo (Editor)
Contemporary movies and television programs often depict the world as we know it displaced, awash in ocean tides or broken into pieces by devastating earthquakes. The climate data coming through news outlets can seem to reinforce this fatalistic view, with earth warming records hitting new levels year after year. While it can seem like natural disasters are increasingly affecting our world, is there data to support this perception or is this view of events mediated by panicked activists and the media? This anthology explores key ideas and opinions regarding discussions about natural disasters, including subjects such as the frequency and severity of natural disasters, poor infrastructure, human activity, and the economic costs of natural disasters.
Natural Disasters by Lynn M. Zott (Editor); Margaret Haerens (Editor)
This fascinating volume explores the topic of natural disasters by presenting varied expert opinions that examine many of the different aspects that surround this issue. The essays investigate topics such as the factors leading to the frequency of natural disasters, controversies surrounding disaster relief efforts, the government's role in natural disaster relief, and the media's coverage of natural disasters.
A Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit
A startling investigation of what people do in disasters and why it matters Why is it that in the aftermath of a disaster? whether manmade or natural?people suddenly become altruistic, resourceful, and brave? What makes the newfound communities and purpose many find in the ruins and crises after disaster so joyous? And what does this joy reveal about ordinarily unmet social desires and possibilities? In A Paradise Built in Hell, award-winning author Rebecca Solnit explores these phenomena, looking at major calamities from the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco through the 1917 explosion that tore up Halifax, Nova Scotia, the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. She examines how disaster throws people into a temporary utopia of changed states of mind and social possibilities, as well as looking at the cost of the widespread myths and rarer real cases of social deterioration during crisis. This is a timely and important book from an acclaimed author whose work consistently locates unseen patterns and meanings in broad cultural histories.