Just an ordinary day before Christmas vacation turns out to be nightmares in the coming weeks. Nature has gone wild and it gets serious worldwide.

EARTH’S FURY Natural disasters are any catastrophic loss of life and/or property caused by a natural event or situation. This definition could include biologic issues such as contagion, injurious bacterial colonization, invasion of dangerous plants and infestations of insects and other vermin. However, the popular understanding of what constitutes a natural disaster still focuses on disasters involving the physical properties of the earth and its atmosphere: earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, avalanches, tropical storms, tornadoes, floods and wildfires. Earth’s Fury: The Science of Natural Disasters attempts to combine the best features of a scientific textbook and an encyclopedia. It retains the organization of a textbook and adopts the highly illustrative graphics of some of the newer and more effective textbooks. The book’s unique approach is evident in its plethora of case studies: short, self-contained and well-illustrated stories of specific natural disasters that are highly engaging for both science and non-science majors. The stories incorporate the science into the event so students appreciate and remember it as part of the story. By relating the event to the impact on society and human lives, the science is placed in the context of the student’s real life. Boasting a number of striking and highly detailed double-page illustrations of disaster-producing features, including volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes, this book is as much a visual resource as a textbook. For students who are probably most familiar with natural disasters through Hollywood movies, this book’s own “widescreen presentation” is coupled with exciting stories which will enhance their interest as well as their understanding. Whether they are science or non-science majors, Earth’s Fury: The Science of Natural Disasters will appeal to all students, with its fresh approach and engaging style.

This text is intended as an introduction to natural hazards and disasters, in either geology, geography or earth sciences. It focuses on the physical elements of natural hazards, but includes a chapter on risk assessment and probability.

A “poignant [and] powerful” novel about a 1920s Midwestern community in the aftermath of a devastating tornado (The New Yorker). In March 1925, the worst tornado in the nation’s history will descend without warning on the small town of Marah, Illinois. By nightfall, hundreds will be homeless and hundreds more will lie in the streets, dead or grievously injured. Only one man, Paul Graves, will still have everything he started the day with—his family, his home, and his business, all miraculously intact. This “absolutely gorgeous” novel follows Paul Graves and his young family in the year after the storm as they struggle to comprehend their own fate and that of their devastated town (The New York Times). They watch helplessly as Marah tries to resurrect itself from the ruins and as their friends and neighbors begin to wonder how one family, and only one, could be exempt from terrible misfortune. As the town begins to recover, the family miscalculates the growing resentment and hostility around them with tragic results, in an “extraordinarily moving” portrayal of survivor’s guilt and the frenzy of bereavement following a disaster (Financial Times). “All the big themes are here—chance, fate, loyalty, revenge, guilt, jealousy . . . Inspired by actual events surrounding the 1925 Tri-State tornado, the worst in U.S. history, Southwood’s poignantly penetrating examination of the psychic cost of survival is breathtaking in its depth of understanding.” —Booklist (starred review) “What’s most exciting about Southwood’s debut is her prose, which is reminiscent of Willa Cather’s in its ability to condense the large, ineffable melancholy of the plains into razor-sharp images.” —The Daily Beast

Responding to a plethora of media representing end times, this anthology of essays examines pop culture's fascination with end of the world or apocalyptic narratives. Essays discuss films and made-for-television movies - including Deep Impact, The Core, and The Day After Tomorrow - that feature primarily [hu]man-made catastrophes or natural catastrophes. These representations complement the large amount of mediated literature and films on religious perspectives of the apocalypse, the Left Behind series, and other films/books that deal with prophecy from the Book of Revelation in the Bible. This book will be useful in upper-level undergraduate/graduate courses addressing mass media, film and television studies, popular culture, rhetorical criticism, and special/advanced topics. In addition, the book will be of interest to scholars and students in disciplines including anthropology, history, psychology, sociology, and religious studies.

In a world where natural forces can devastate lives in an instant, "Fury of the Earth" takes readers on an awe-inspiring and frightening trip across the realms of natural disasters. From the towering fury of tsunamis to the destructive force of earthquakes, this book goes deep into the physics behind these occurrences, revealing the subtle dynamics that define our dynamic planet. Through compelling narratives and thorough research, author [Author Name] creates a tapestry of knowledge that spans geological epochs and cultural geographies. Readers will hear firsthand tales from survivors who have faced the fury of nature, their stories acting as painful reminders of the fragility of human existence in the face of such gigantic forces. Featuring dazzling images and cutting edge scientific data, "Fury of the Earth" delves into the delicate dance between tectonic plates, the fury of volcanic eruptions, and the relentless strength of cyclones and tornadoes. The book reveals the complicated relationships between these natural events, offering light on the complex interplay of variables that can cause or worsen disasters. Furthermore, "Fury of the Earth" dives into the complex cultural and historical settings surrounding natural disasters, exploring how different communities have dealt with these events over time. From ancient legends to modern catastrophe preparedness techniques, the book praises human resilience while emphasizing the significance of knowing and honoring nature's force. With a mix of scientific rigor and literary flair, "Fury of the Earth" is a must read for anybody fascinated by the awe-inspiring forces that shape our world. Prepare to be enlightened, humbled, and inspired by the incredible experiences and thoughts contained within these pages.