The Dynamics of Disaster, Susan W. Kieffer
The Dynamics of Disaster, Susan W. Kieffer
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The Dynamics of Disaster

Author: Susan W. Kieffer

Narrator: Heather Henderson

Unabridged: 6 hr 58 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: AudioGO

Published: 10/21/2013


Synopsis

"If you are an amateur weather geek, disaster wonk, or budding student of earth sciences, you will want to read this book."—Seattle Times In 2011, there were fourteen natural calamities that each destroyed over a billion dollars' worth of property in the United States alone. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast and major earthquakes struck in Italy, the Philippines, Iran, and Afghanistan. In the first half of 2013, the awful drumbeat continued—a monster supertornado struck Moore, Oklahoma; a powerful earthquake shook Sichuan, China; a cyclone ravaged Queensland, Australia; massive floods inundated Jakarta, Indonesia; and the largest wildfire ever engulfed a large part of Colorado. Despite these events, we still behave as if natural disasters are outliers. Why else would we continue to build new communities near active volcanoes, on tectonically active faults, on flood plains, and in areas routinely lashed by vicious storms?A famous historian once observed that "civilization exists by geologic consent, subject to change without notice." In the pages of this unique book, leading geologist Susan W. Kieffer provides a primer on most types of natural disasters: earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, landslides, hurricanes, cyclones, and tornadoes. By taking us behind the scenes of the underlying geology that causes them, she shows why natural disasters are more common than we realize, and that their impact on us will increase as our growing population crowds us into ever more vulnerable areas.Kieffer describes how natural disasters result from "changes in state" in a geologic system, much as when water turns to steam. By understanding what causes these changes of state, we can begin to understand the dynamics of natural disasters.In the book's concluding chapter, Kieffer outlines how we might better prepare for, and in some cases prevent, future disasters. She also calls for the creation of an organization, something akin to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but focused on pending natural disasters. 40 illustrations

About Susan W. Kieffer

Susan W. Kieffer is professor emerita of geology
at the University of Illinois and a recipient of a MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant. She hosts a popular blog called Geology in Motion. She lives on Whidbey Island, Washington.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Charlene on January 10, 2020

I loved this book. This book should have a much higher overall rating. I suspect the low ratings are from people who are not interested in the fascinating science of how Earth works in such a dynamic way. (It could also have been that the section on rogue waves was way too long, but imo that should......more

Goodreads review by Atila on December 15, 2016

Gostei demais dessa leitura. A Susan Kieffer é uma geóloga de mão cheia, que passar por vários tipos de catástrofe e não só explica como acontecem, mas dá exemplos bem ilustrativos. Aprendi muita coisa nova, como raios ou o efeito de liquefação em terremotos, quando o solo expulsa a água durante um......more

Goodreads review by Pattee on August 29, 2024

I read this to fulfill the 'read a book about the environment' square in my summer reading bingo. I really enjoyed Kieffer's lived experience and use of art and poetry in her examples. I have an increased appreciation of landslides, wind, and rouge waves. I wish the diagrams had been published bette......more

Goodreads review by Victoria on January 09, 2019

Kieffer's explanations of the how natural disasters occur is perfectly suited to the interested layperson. The section on rogue waves was worth the price of admission in that it explains something that always seemed kind of supernatural. If you have any interest at all in understanding our living pl......more

Goodreads review by Chaitalee on May 31, 2021

It takes some deeper understanding of the subject to comprehend all that is being said in the book. Also, better presentation of the content would have helped in reader appreciation. Perhaps subsequent editions will make a difference?......more