Author Description

Natural Disasters explores the hidden stories behind the disasters: the true causes and consequences, the tragedies and triumphs in remarkable stories of survival, and the ability of the human spirit to overcome extraordinary difficulties. Along with captivating images of the disasters and their aftermath are the facts, clear explanations, and stories by survivors in their own words. This unique book covers many of history’s greatest natural disasters • Pompeii’s tragic burial after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79ce • Krakatoa’s massive eruption in 1883, which sent shockwaves around the world seven times • The earthquake and fire that devastated San Francisco in 1906 • The 1980 eruption of Mount St Helens • The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami—caused by the most powerful earthquake in the last 50 years (measuring 9 on the Richter scale). Natural Disasters features • spectacular photographs of natural disasters • many photos of actual events and the aftermath • tales of courage, survival, heroism, humanity, and overwhelming loss • full coverage of over 150 great natural disasters • all types of natural disasters, the causes and results of each • personal accounts of actual events • maps showing extent of certain major disasters, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami • gazetteer which includes more than 300 disaster sites around the world and across the centuries