Human society has adapted to environments across the globe, but sometimes nature still shakes up our world. Readers will investigate the science behind earthquakes as they count down the ten most catastrophic quakes in human history. Dramatic photographs will engage all readers, and the information-rich text smoothly incorporates STEM, geography, and history curricula. A concluding map pinpoints the location of each deadly quake, and thoughtful questions are included to encourage critical thinking skills. This high-interest, multi-subject volume is essential to any academic library.

"Describes history's biggest and most destructive earthquakes from around the world"--

Oceans sustain our globe, but they can also act as powerful tyrants of destruction. This volume provides an in-depth study of the ten most devastating tsunamis, exploring humanity’s historical relationship with these epic forces of nature. Photographs and visuals of these aquatic disasters will captivate all readers as they learn the science behind the storms. This versatile text introduces readers to maps and challenges critical thinking skills with dynamic questions. The multi-subject nature of this volume and its high-interest topic will attract readers in any academic setting.

It's a fact that men love lists: with lists, men can find the most interesting information with the least amount of effort. This book contains over 250 lists covering the most important subjects in life - cars, sports, barbecues, gadgets - and answers the most vital questions: Are Ferraris faster than Lamborghinis? What's the most common murder weapon? Who was the fattest Prime Minister? Which city has the highest proportion of women to men? What's the most alcholic beer in the world?No matter what your chosen subject may be, Top 10 for Men is a must for every pub-trivia king.

On March 27, 1964, at 5-36 p.m., the biggest earthquake ever recorded in North America--and the second biggest ever in the world, measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale--struck Alaska, devastating coastal towns and villages and killing more than 130 people in what was then a relatively sparsely populated region. In a riveting tale about the almost unimaginable brute force of nature, New York Times science journalist Henry Fountain, in his first trade book, re-creates the lives of the villagers and townspeople living in Chenega, Anchorage, and Valdez; describes the sheer beauty of the geology of the region, with its towering peaks and 20-mile-long glaciers; and reveals the impact of the quake on the towns, the buildings, and the lives of the inhabitants. George Plafker, a geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey with years of experience scouring the Alaskan wilderness, is asked to investigate the Prince William Sound region in the aftermath of the quake, to better understand its origins. His work confirmed the then controversial theory of plate tectonics that explained how and why such deadly quakes occur, and how we can plan for the next one.

Volcanic activity reduced Pompeii to ashes, but the Mount Vesuvius eruption is only the seventh most destructive volcanic eruption out of the top ten in human history! This fiery volume covers all ten natural disasters with mesmerizing photographs and visuals of these natural phenomena. A helpful map shows the location of each historical eruption, and critical thinking questions allow readers to test their new knowledge. Even reluctant readers will want to explore this high-interest topic, making this book an essential for any STEM, geography, or history library.

When the volcano Tambora erupted in Indonesia in 1815, as many as 100,000 people perished as a result of the blast and an ensuing famine caused by the destruction of rice fields on Sumbawa and neighboring islands. Gases and dust particles ejected into the atmosphere changed weather patterns around the world, resulting in the infamous ''year without a summer'' in North America, food riots in Europe, and a widespread cholera epidemic. And the gloomy weather inspired Mary Shelley to write the gothic novel Frankenstein. This book tells the story of nine such epic volcanic events, explaining the related geology for the general reader and exploring the myriad ways in which the earth's volcanism has affected human history. Zeilinga de Boer and Sanders describe in depth how volcanic activity has had long-lasting effects on societies, cultures, and the environment. After introducing the origins and mechanisms of volcanism, the authors draw on ancient as well as modern accounts--from folklore to poetry and from philosophy to literature. Beginning with the Bronze Age eruption that caused the demise of Minoan Crete, the book tells the human and geological stories of eruptions of such volcanoes as Vesuvius, Krakatau, Mount Pelée, and Tristan da Cunha. Along the way, it shows how volcanism shaped religion in Hawaii, permeated Icelandic mythology and literature, caused widespread population migrations, and spurred scientific discovery. From the prodigious eruption of Thera more than 3,600 years ago to the relative burp of Mount St. Helens in 1980, the results of volcanism attest to the enduring connections between geology and human destiny. Some images inside the book are unavailable due to digital copyright restrictions.