Summarizes probabilistic seismic hazard assessment as it is practiced in various countries throughout the world. 59 reports are included covering 88 countries, which comprise about 80% of the inhabited land mass of the Earth. Over 100 maps.

Esta Segunda Edición: 1) mejora algunas de las figuras anteriormente publicadas en la primera edicion del libro 2) completa los comentarios sobre el análisis simogénico entorno a los Lagos 3) argumenta con los nuevos datos la regionalización

The title perfectly describes the content and purpose of the book. The language used in the presentation is appropriate and conforms to contemporary scientific terminology. The structure of the text is harmoniously justified and includes 54 figures, 33 tables and 199 references, in 99 pages. Authors sustain the idea of St. Francis of Assisi (Italy, ¿?-1226): “La verdadera enseñanza que transmitimos es lo que vivimos; y somos buenos predicadores cuando ponemos en práctica lo que decimos”. For the first time, a seismotectonic model for Central America is proposed and argued, subdividing it into two Seismotectonic Provinces: America Central I (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) and America Central II (Costa Rica and Panama). Significant differences appear in these regions with respect to the existing models in Chile, México and Peru; where Central America's lower hazard is highlighted. This is very important at the time of making hazard and risk estimates, especially when the limited monetary resources of Central American countries are known. The authors undertook an extensive review of all the materials available to them, and the use of several bibliography (in different languages) reflected in the book demonstrates it. An element of consideration has been the argumentation about the fragmentation of active structures, the transmission of stresses and the corresponding deformations; as well as the hierarchy of all tectonic elements. Highlights the novel proposal of a set of active tectonic knots in Central America, and Nicaragua in particular. In this sense, in the vicinity of the Managua City, a knot is defined that justifies its unique seismic activity. It is hoped, mainly, in Nicaragua, and that it will allow them to question, with critical eyes and minds, the dogmas and models that are accepted by the majority of the scientific community. In this regard, the following reasoning is given: “Cualquier ayuda innecesaria es un obstáculo para el desarrollo” (María Tecla Artemisa Montessori/ Italy, 1870-Netherlands, 1952). Finally, the use of several languages for the presentation of the work and the different covers is commendable. This should be an incentive for the new generations [“The limits of my language are the limits of my world” (Ludwig Josef Johann Wittgensteine/ Austria, 1889-United Kingdom, 1951)].