Disaster Deferred: How New Science Is Changing Our View of Earthquake Hazards in the Midwest
A geologist takes readers inside contemporary earthquake research to offer a new account of the Midwest’s legendary New Madrid fault—“an exceptional read” (Choice).

 In the winter of 1811-12, a series of large earthquakes in the New Madrid seismic zone shook the Midwest. These historic geological events are often incorrectly described as the biggest ever to hit the United States. Today the federal government ranks the earthquake hazard in the Midwest as high as California's and is pressuring communities to undertake expensive preparations for disaster.

In Disaster Deferred, geologist Seth Stein revisits these earthquakes, the legends that have grown around them, and the predictions of doom that have followed in their wake. He details how limited scientific knowledge, bureaucratic instincts, and the media's love of a good story have exaggerated these hazards. Debunking the hype, Stein explains how contemporary seismological techniques—including the use of GPS—painting a very different-and much less frightening-picture of the future. Using new geological ideas and data, he calls for a more sensible, less costly policy. 
 
“An essential book for policy makers, economists, and notably educators.”—Choice
"1111428798"
Disaster Deferred: How New Science Is Changing Our View of Earthquake Hazards in the Midwest
A geologist takes readers inside contemporary earthquake research to offer a new account of the Midwest’s legendary New Madrid fault—“an exceptional read” (Choice).

 In the winter of 1811-12, a series of large earthquakes in the New Madrid seismic zone shook the Midwest. These historic geological events are often incorrectly described as the biggest ever to hit the United States. Today the federal government ranks the earthquake hazard in the Midwest as high as California's and is pressuring communities to undertake expensive preparations for disaster.

In Disaster Deferred, geologist Seth Stein revisits these earthquakes, the legends that have grown around them, and the predictions of doom that have followed in their wake. He details how limited scientific knowledge, bureaucratic instincts, and the media's love of a good story have exaggerated these hazards. Debunking the hype, Stein explains how contemporary seismological techniques—including the use of GPS—painting a very different-and much less frightening-picture of the future. Using new geological ideas and data, he calls for a more sensible, less costly policy. 
 
“An essential book for policy makers, economists, and notably educators.”—Choice
13.49 In Stock
Disaster Deferred: How New Science Is Changing Our View of Earthquake Hazards in the Midwest

Disaster Deferred: How New Science Is Changing Our View of Earthquake Hazards in the Midwest

by Seth Stein
Disaster Deferred: How New Science Is Changing Our View of Earthquake Hazards in the Midwest

Disaster Deferred: How New Science Is Changing Our View of Earthquake Hazards in the Midwest

by Seth Stein

eBook

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Overview

A geologist takes readers inside contemporary earthquake research to offer a new account of the Midwest’s legendary New Madrid fault—“an exceptional read” (Choice).

 In the winter of 1811-12, a series of large earthquakes in the New Madrid seismic zone shook the Midwest. These historic geological events are often incorrectly described as the biggest ever to hit the United States. Today the federal government ranks the earthquake hazard in the Midwest as high as California's and is pressuring communities to undertake expensive preparations for disaster.

In Disaster Deferred, geologist Seth Stein revisits these earthquakes, the legends that have grown around them, and the predictions of doom that have followed in their wake. He details how limited scientific knowledge, bureaucratic instincts, and the media's love of a good story have exaggerated these hazards. Debunking the hype, Stein explains how contemporary seismological techniques—including the use of GPS—painting a very different-and much less frightening-picture of the future. Using new geological ideas and data, he calls for a more sensible, less costly policy. 
 
“An essential book for policy makers, economists, and notably educators.”—Choice

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780231522410
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Publication date: 07/15/2020
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 298
Sales rank: 571,281
File size: 27 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Seth Stein is the William Deering Professor of Geological Science in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Northwestern University. He is the author of Disaster Deferred (CUP 2010) among several other titles and over 100 articles.

Table of Contents

1. Threshold
2. The Day the Earth Stood Still
3. Think or Panic?
4. The Perfect Mess
5. Earthquake!
6. Breakthrough
7. How the Ground Shakes
8. How Earthquakes Work
9. Plate Tectonics Explains (Most) Earthquakes
10. Earthquakes That Shouldn't Happen
11. What's Going on Down There?
12. Guidance from Heaven
13. Faults Turning On and Off
14. More Dangerous than California?
15. Chemotherapy for a Cold
16. What to Do?
Further Reading and Sources
References
Acknowledgments
Index

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