Table of Contents

Preface
Prologue: Catastrophism and Uniformitarianism
1. Earthquakes: The Earth in Upheaval
2. Tsunamis: The Sea Rises Up
3. Volcanoes: Hell's Cauldron
4. Landslides: Gravity Always Wins
5. Floods: Raging Waters
6. Hurricanes, Cyclones, and Typhoons: Nature on the Rampage
7. Tornadoes: Funnels of Death
8. Blizzards: White Death
9. Ice Ages: Frozen Planet
10. Greenhouse Planet: Too Hot to Handle?
11. Mass Extinctions: When Life Nearly Died
12. Can We Survive Nature—and Our Own Folly?
Bibliography
Index

About the Author

Donald R. Prothero is a professor of geology at Occidental College and coeditor or author of many books, including Horns, Tusks, and Flippers: The Evolution of Hoofed Mammals and The Evolution of Artiodactyls, both published by Johns Hopkins.

Reviews

If you want to learn more about these disasters than just what's in the news headlines, this is the book for you. -- Ian Paulsen Birdbooker Report During a time when global climate change is becoming an increasing concern and details of global catastrophes arrive on our computer screens as they unfold elsewhere, Prothero's book is a useful guide to the mechanisms and effects of some of nature's most frightening events. -- Brian Switek Laelaps blog, Wired.com Fascinating reading, if somewhat terrifying... Prothero explains the geologic and meteorological forces behind disasters, emphasizing the science with examples of real-world events, giving us a three-dimensional view of not only the natural processes involved but the human and monetary toll, as well. -- Libbie Martin Fairbanks Daily News-Miner This book... has the bases covered. Prothero is an engaging writer. Natural Hazards Observer Recommended. Choice