Earthquakes and Volcanic Activity on Islands (Routledge Studies in Hazards, Disaster Risk and Climate Change)

This volume examines the impact of and responses to historic earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the Azores. Study is placed in the contexts of: the history and geography of this fascinating archipelago; progress being made in predicting future events and policies of disaster risk reduction.

This is the only volume to consider the earthquake and volcanic histories of the Azores across the whole archipelago and is based, not only on contemporary published research, but also on the detailed study of archival source materials. The authors seek to show how extreme environmental events, as expressed through eruptions, earthquakes and related processes operating in the past may be considered using both complementary scientific and social scientific perspectives in order to reveal the ways in which Azorean society has been shaped by both an isolated location in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and the ever present threat of environmental uncertainty. Chapter 2, which analyses in depth the geology and tectonics of the islands is of more specialist interest, but technical terms are fully explained so as to widen the accessibility of this material.

The audience for this volume includes all those who are interested in the geology, geography, history and hazard responses in the Azores. It is written, not just for the educated general reader, but for the specialist earth scientist and hazard researcher.

David Chester is a graduate of the universities of Durham and Aberdeen and for many years he has carried out research on disasters, particularly those produced by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. He is currently Professor Emeritus at Liverpool Hope University and a Senior Fellow at the University of Liverpool.

Angus Duncan has a degree in Geology from Durham University and a PhD in Volcanic Geology from University College London. He has worked on volcanoes in Southern Italy and then the Azores for over 45 years. He retired as Professor in Volcanology from the University of Bedfordshire in 2013 and subsequently was an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool.

Rui Coutinho graduated in Geology from the University of Coimbra, obtained his MSc in Applied and Economic Geology from the University of Lisbon and holds a PhD in Geology specialising in volcanology from the University of the Azores. He is an Assistant Professor in the University of the Azores and a member of the Institute for Research in Volcanology and Risk Assessment (IVAR).

Nicolau Wallenstein has a degree in Geology from the University of Oporto and a PhD in Geology, specialising in volcanology, from the University of the Azores. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the University of the Azores, coordinates the MSc course in Volcanology and Geological Risks and is a member of the Institute for Research in Volcanology and Risk Assessment (IVAR).