Natural Disasters

A vibrant introduction to the science and societal impacts of disasters.

As our planet changes and human population grows, students will see new examples every year of the devastating impact that geologic and atmospheric disasters have on communities. Through vibrant and detailed visuals, engaging writing, and extended case studies, Natural Disasters helps explain the science behind these catastrophes and the societal factors that shape our responses. Step-by-step art makes key concepts accessible to all students. And two case studies in every chapter―covering one North American and one global example and reinforced through online Guided Learning Explorations―get students examining the societal factors that help shape how communities deal with these disasters.

Stephen Marshak is the author or coauthor of six best-selling geoscience textbooks published by W. W. Norton. He is professor emeritus in the Department of Earth Science and Environmental Change and director emeritus of the School of Earth, Society, and Environment at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where he received multiple campus-level teaching awards. He was also honored with the Neil Miner Award from the National Association of Geoscience Teachers for his “exceptional contributions to stimulating interest in Earth Science.”

Robert Rauber is a Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where he was Department Head for twelve years, and now serves as Director of the School of Earth, Society, & Environment. He holds a B.S. in Physics and a B.A. in English from the Pennsylvania State University, as well as an M.S. and Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from Colorado State University. He oversees a research program that focuses on the development and behavior of storms, which takes him on some rather exciting flights into the midst of severe weather. Bob has won campus teaching awards, is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society (AMS), and serves as the publication commissioner for the AMS. In addition to authoring many research papers, Bob has co-authored Earth Science, Laboratory Manual for Earth Science, Severe and Hazardous Weather: An Introduction to High Impact Meteorology, and a new book, Radar Meteorology, A First Course.

Neil Johnson is a Senior Instructor and Minerals Curator at Virginia Tech University. He holds a B.S. from the Ohio State University, as well as an M.S. and Ph.D. from Virginia Tech University. He regularly teaches the introductory course on Earth’s Natural Hazards, and his research focuses on mineral characterization, ore geology, and economic geology, utilizing x-ray powder refraction.