Growth of population, communication and interdependence among countries has sharpened the impact of natural disasters. Not only have calamities and miseries been given wider publicity, but the realization has grown that through rational study and foresight much can be done to mitigate these hazards to life and social wellbeing. In this book we present a summary account of hazards which nowadays are usually classified as geological: earthquakes, faulting, tsunamis, seiches, vol canoes, avalanches, rock and soil slides, differential settlement and liquefaction of soil, and inundation. The book is aimed first at the general reader who is interested in studying the history of such hazards and examining ways that risk can be reduced even if all dangers cannot be eliminated. We also hope that the book will be useful to college students in introductory courses in geology, engineering, geography, country and urban planning, and in environmental studies. We have tried to bring dut for the students the problems that remain to be solved.

Inhalt
1 Hazards from Earthquakes.- 1.1. The Great Good Friday Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami, March 27, 1964.- 1.2. Seismicity of the World.- 1.3. Causes of Earthquakes.- 1.4. Earthquake Case Histories.- 1.5. Reduction of Earthquake Hazards.- 1.6. References.- 2 Hazards from Volcanoes.- 2.1. Introduction.- 2.2. Nature and Kinds of Volcanic Activity.- 2.3. Cataclysmic Eruptions.- 2.4. Distribution of Volcanoes.- 2.5. Evaluation of Volcanic Risk.- 2.6. Prediction of Volcanic Eruptions.- 2.7. References.- 3 Hazards from Tsunamis.- 3.1. Causes of Tsunamis.- 3.2. Tsunami Risk.- 3.3. Tsunami Case Histories.- 3.4. References.- 4 Hazards from Landslides.- 4.1. Classification of Landslides.- 4.2. Mechanics of Landslides.- 4.3. Slope Analysis.- 4.4. Site Investigations for Landslides.- 4.5. Detection and Control.- 4.6. Landslide Case Histories.- 4.7. References.- 5 Hazards from Ground Subsidence.- 5.1. Classification of Subsidence.- 5.2. Subsidence Analysis.- 5.3. Detection and Control.- 5.4. Ground Subsidence Case Histories.- 5.5. References.- 6 Hazards from Snow Avalanches.- 6.1. Introduction.- 6.2. Classification and Mechanisms of Avalanches.- 6.3. Analysis, Investigation and Control of Avalanches.- 6.4. Avalanche Case Histories.- 6.5. References.- 7 Hazards from Floods.- 7.1. Introduction.- 7.2. Some Facts about Floods.- 7.3. Fighting Back.- 7.4. Flood Disasters.- 7.5. References.- 8 Hazard Mitigation and Control.- 8.1. Overall Risk Zoning.- 8.2. Public Safety.- 8.3. Geological Risk Maps.- 8.4. Population Growth and Priorities.- 8.5. The California Urban Geology Study.- 8.6. Interdisciplinary Decisions.- 8.7. Geological Hazard Insurance.- 8.8. Seismic Risk Zoning and Building Codes.- 8.9. References.- Appendices A. Notable World Earthquakes.- B. Important Earthquakes of the United States, Canada and Mexico.- C. Number of Active and Other Geologically Recent Volcanoes in Various Regions.- D. Major Flood Disasters of the World 19631974.- E. Metric-English Conversion Table.- F. Geologic Time Scale.