Earthquakes and Tsunamis in the Past: A Guide to Techniques in Historical Seismology (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780521837958)

This handbook defines the discipline of historical seismology by detailing the latest research methodologies for studying historical earthquakes and tsunamis. It describes the various sources that reference seismic phenomena, discusses the critical problems of interpreting such sources, and presents a summary of the theories proposed throughout history to explain the causes of earthquakes. Incorporating examples from a broad geographic region (including Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, central Asia, and the Americas), the text presents numerous interpretations and misinterpretations of historical earthquakes and tsunamis in order to illustrate the key techniques. The authors also tie historical seismology research to archaeological investigations, and demonstrate how new scientific databases and catalogues can be compiled from information derived from the methodologies described. This is an important new reference for scientists, engineers, historians and archaeologists, providing a valuable foundation for understanding the Earth's seismic past and potential future seismic hazard.

Author: Emanuela Guidoboni,John E. Ebel
ISBN-10: 0521837952
ISBN-13: 9780521837958
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 01/15/2009
Pages: 604
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 2.95lbs
Size: 9.80h x 6.90w x 1.30d