Keywords:
Natural disasters.
;
Electronic books.
Description / Table of Contents:
As a well balanced and fully illustrated introductory text, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the physical, technological and social components of natural disaster. The main disaster-producing agents are reviewed systematically in terms of geophysical processes and effects, monitoring, mitigation and warning. The relationship between disasters and society is examined with respect to a wide variety of themes, including damage assessment and prevention, hazard mapping, emergency preparedness, the provision of shelter and the nature of reconstruction. Medical emergencies and the epidemiology of disasters are described, and refugee management and aid to the Third World are discussed. A chapter is devoted to the sociology, psychology, economics and history of disasters.; In many parts of the world the toll of death, injury, damage and deprivation caused by natural disasters is becoming increasingly serious. Major earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, droughts, floods and other similar catastrophes are often followed by large relief operations characterized by substantial involvement of the international community. The years 1990-2000 have therefore been designated by the United Nations as the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.; The book goes beyond mere description and elevates the field of natural catastrophes to a serious academic level. The author's insights and perspectives are also informed by his practical experience of being a disaster victim and survivor, and hence the unique perspective of a participant observer. Only by surmounting the boundaries between disciplines can natural catastrophe be understood and mitigation efforts made effective. Thus, this book is perhaps the first completely interdisciplinary, fully comprehensive survey of natural hazards and disasters. It has a clear theoretical basis and it
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
Pages:
1 online resource (653 pages)
Edition:
1st ed.
ISBN:
9781351429221
URL:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/geomar/detail.action?docID=5118499
DDC:
363.34 23
Language:
English
Note:
Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Table of Contents -- List of tables -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- 1: Introduction -- The global problem -- Definitions and basic concepts -- Misconceptions about natural disaster -- Time and space in disaster -- Formulating intensity measures -- References -- Select bibliography -- The Geophysical Agents -- 2: Earthquakes and volcanoes -- The physical nature of earthquakes -- Predicting earthquakes -- The human impact of seismic hazards -- The lessons of recent events -- Tsunamis -- Volcanic eruptions -- References -- Select bibliography -- 3: Atmospheric and hydrological hazards -- Floods -- Drought -- Hurricanes -- Tornadoes -- Lightning -- Hailstorms -- Glacier hazards -- Snow as a hazard to the urban system -- Frost hazards -- References -- Select bibliography -- 4: Disasters and the land surface -- Soil erosion -- Desertification -- Landslides -- Seismically generated landslides -- Subsidence -- Soil hazards -- Coastal erosion -- Forest and range fires -- References -- Select bibliography -- The Human Impact and Response -- 5: Damage and the built environment -- Earthquake damage -- Costing and surveying damage -- Buildings, structures and public safety -- Hazards and the urban environment -- High-rise buildings in disaster -- Dam disasters -- References -- Select bibliography -- 6: The logistics of planning and emergency action -- Disaster and hazard mapping -- Remote sensing and disasters -- Models of disaster and their practical uses -- Disaster warning -- Planning for disasters -- Disasters and the mass media -- Emergency management -- Emergency shelter -- Recovery and reconstruction after disaster -- References -- Select bibliography -- 7: Medical emergencies -- Death and injury -- Disease rates -- References -- Select bibliography -- 8: The Third World.
,
Disasters in developing countries -- Famine and starvation -- Refugees -- The impact of floods upon developing countries -- The case of Bangladesh -- References -- Select bibliography -- 9: Disasters and socio-economic systems -- The sociology of disasters -- Disaster psychology -- Perception of natural hazards and disasters -- Risk assessment and management -- Problems of rational hazard management -- The economics of disasters -- An historical perspective -- References -- Select bibliography -- Conclusion -- 10: Towards an international strategy against disasters -- The lessons of disaster -- National policy and disasters -- The International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction -- References -- Select bibliography -- Index.
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