Earthshaking Science: What We Know (and Don't Know) about Earthquakes - Hardcover

Hough, Susan Elizabeth

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0691050104 ISBN 13: 9780691050102

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2002

Synopsis

This is the first book to really make sense of the dizzying array of information that has emerged in recent decades about earthquakes. Susan Hough, a research seismologist in one of North America's most active earthquake zones and an expert at communicating this complex science to the public, separates fact from fiction. She fills in many of the blanks that remained after plate tectonics theory, in the 1960s, first gave us a rough idea of just what earthquakes are about. How do earthquakes start? How do they stop? Do earthquakes occur at regular intervals on faults? If not, why not? Are earthquakes predictable? How hard will the ground shake following an earthquake of a given magnitude? How does one quantify future seismic hazard?

As Hough recounts in brisk, jargon-free prose, improvements in earthquake recording capability in the 1960s and 1970s set the stage for a period of rapid development in earthquake science. Although some formidable enigmas have remained, much has been learned on critical issues such as earthquake prediction, seismic hazard assessment, and ground motion prediction. This book addresses those issues.

Because earthquake science is so new, it has rarely been presented outside of technical journals that are all but opaque to nonspecialists. Earthshaking Science changes all this. It tackles the issues at the forefront of modern seismology in a way most readers can understand. In it, an expert conveys not only the facts, but the passion and excitement associated with research at the frontiers of this fascinating field. Hough proves, beyond a doubt, that this passion and excitement is more accessible than one might think.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

"By frankly taking the point of view of a participating seismologist, this book is a fresh contribution to the shelf of science for the public."--Robert Phinney, Princeton University

"I know of no other book for the general public that presents seismic hazards better than Earthshaking Science. It offers a great deal to commend: Hough conveys the big picture really well, and hits the nail on the head with important details."--Paul G. Richards, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University

"This book is a major contribution to its field, and an excellent summary of our current approaches to understanding earthquakes. All geoscientists should find it a stimulating read, and others with a reasonable grounding in science will be well rewarded for the time spent with it."--William R. Green, The Leading Edge

About the Author

Susan Elizabeth Hough is a seismologist with the United States Geological Survey in Pasadena, California, and has published more than forty articles in journals such as Nature, Science, Natural History, and the Journal of Geophysical Research. She has also written occasional editorials on earthquakes for the Los Angeles Times.

Edition details

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0691050104
• ISBN 13: 9780691050102
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 272