Earthquakes and Tsunamis in the Past: A Guide to Techniques in Historical Seismology (Earhquakes and Tsunamis in the Past) [Hardcover]

Emanuela Guidoboni (Author), John E. Ebel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0521837952 | ISBN-13: 978-0521837958

This handbook defines the discipline of historical seismology by detailing the latest research methodologies for studying historical earthquakes and tsunamis. It describes the various sources that reference seismic phenomena, discusses the critical problems of interpreting such sources, and presents a summary of the theories proposed throughout history to explain the causes of earthquakes. Incorporating examples from a broad geographic region (including Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, central Asia, and the Americas), the text presents numerous interpretations and misinterpretations of historical earthquakes and tsunamis in order to illustrate the key techniques. The authors also tie historical seismology research to archaeological investigations, and demonstrate how new scientific databases and catalogues can be compiled from information derived from the methodologies described. This is an important new reference for scientists, engineers, historians and archaeologists, providing a valuable foundation for understanding the Earth's seismic past and potential future seismic hazard.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This important reference book for scientists, engineers, historians and archaeologists, defines the discipline of historical seismology by detailing the latest research methodologies for studying historical earthquakes and tsunamis. Incorporating examples from a broad geographic region to illustrate key techniques, it provides an important basis for understanding future seismic hazards.

About the Author

Emanuela Guidoboni  is a senior scientist and head of the historical seismology and volcanology unit at the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Bologna, Italy. From 1983 to 2007, she served as director of SGA-Storia Geofisica Ambiente, Bologna, a company specializing in the study of earthquakes and other historical environmental phenomena. A historian by training, Dr Guidoboni is a leading expert in the historical seismicity of the Mediterranean region, and the author of a number of important historical earthquake catalogues and more than 100 scientific publications.

John Ebel is a Professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics and Director of the Weston Observatory at Boston College, Massachusetts, where his research interests include theoretical, exploration and earthquake seismology. Professor Ebel was awarded the 2003 Jesuit Seismological Award and the 2004 Service to the Seismological Society of America Award.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 602 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (February 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521837952
• ISBN-13: 978-0521837958
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,760,502 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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