Living with Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest: A Survivor's Guide, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded [Paperback]

Robert S. Yeats (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

In this expanded new edition of Living with Earthquakes, Robert Yeats, a leading authority on earthquakes in California and the Pacific Northwest, describes the threat posed by the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a great earthquake fault which runs for hundreds of miles offshore from British Columbia to northern California. New research reveals subtle movements on the deepest part of this fault every fourteen to fifteen months-building up strain toward the next major earthquake.

Combining cutting-edge research with practical safety information, Living with Earthquakes

*introduces new information about the danger from faults beneath major Northwest cities: the Seattle Fault, Tacoma Fault, and Portland Hills Fault

*explores such topics as earthquake forecasting, catastrophe insurance, tsunamis, soil liquefaction, and seismic waves in Northwest lakes caused by Alaskan earthquakes

*reviews earthquake preparedness and disaster response in the aftermath of the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, the worst natural disaster in Washington's history

*suggests actions that citizens can take to protect their families and homes

An essential guide for anyone interested in understanding earthquake science or in preparing for the next earthquake, this book is also a call to action. Vivid descriptions of recent disasters-including the great tsunami that swept down the Northwest coast in 1964, the 1993 Oregon earthquakes, and the 2001 Nisqually earthquake-underscore the urgent need for better earthquake planning and awareness.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert S. Yeats is senior consultant for Earth Consultants International and professor emeritus in geology at Oregon State University. He is the author of Living With Earthquakes in California and co-author of The Geology of Earthquakes. He lives in Corvallis, Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 390 pages
• Publisher: Oregon State University Press; 2 Rev Exp edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870710249
• ISBN-13: 978-0870710247
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #910,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a necessary read, November 6, 1999

By 

Linda Hatfield-Southern - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living with Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest (Paperback)

A book that will hopefully wake people up who live here in the NW and make them realize that we are at just as much risk for earthquakes as california. I was a 1 year old and my parents recall their terror of ensuring my safety as well as their own during the 1965 quake that hit Wa state measuring over a 7. We should all take heed to the words written and secure ourselves by having a 3 day supply of food and water, knowing what the energency response of our childrens's schools are. Because the quake that hit this summer is just a prelude to the massive one that will hit.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best book on quakes in Pacific Northwest, in fact on subduction zone hazards, March 30, 2008

By 

John E. Vidale "conventional Earth scientist" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Living with Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest: A Survivor's Guide, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded (Paperback)

I use this book in teaching a college introductory science class. It is clearly written and presents earthquakes from the unique perspective of the Pacific Northwest.

There is an alternative introductory book by the late Bruce Bolt on earthquakes in general, and another with emphasis on California by Sue Hough. Each has its strengths - the Hough book is particularly well-written, the Bolt book has good pictures and illustrations and a dry wit although it is growing out of date, and this one builds upon the findings of the leading scholars of the Oregon-Washington region to show the big picture of science and government's role in hazard management.

With a good index, list of regional earthquakes, and glossary, an attentive reader will gain an in-depth knowledge of some geophysics and its serious hazards for Cascadia.

Although I haven't compared them word by word, the 2nd editions seems a major improvement in readability. Yeats actually cites the experience of co-teaching with a colleague of mine the very class I now teach as inspiration for the improvements.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating! Reader-friendly and intelligent, on top of it., March 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Living with Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest (Paperback)

The book is great for getting people aware that the PNW also has a fault line. And Mt. Rainier is more than a mountain. But he says it not to scare you. It educates you in a relaxing manner. This should be mandatory reading for grades 9-12. Highly recommend it!!!