Earthquakes

by Bruce A. Bolt

This is a concise overview of the history of earthquakes and seismology, including topics such as geologic faults, intensity patterns, plate tectonics, side effects of earthquakes (such as tsunamis), and protection of people and property. The book contains descriptions of the 1995 Sakhalin and 1997 Assisi earthquakes, and others such as Northridge, California (1994), Kobe, Japan (1995), Chi Chi, Taiwan (1999) and Denali, Alaska (2003). The sequence of chapters has been re-organized for the fifth edition to better facilitate learning the broad concepts before the detail. New exercises and web references have also been added to give students the opportunity to think and use data the way field seismologists do.

Genres: Geology, Science, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

From Wikipedia:
Bruce Bolt was a Professor of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Professor Bolt was a seismologist known as pioneer of engineering seismology. He served for 15 years on the California Seismic Safety Committee leading public debate on earthquake safety in that state, and acted as a consultant on major projects throughout the world. As well, Bolt published a number of popular and technical books on seismology.

Reviews

[Daniel Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent overview of earthquake science, related phenomena (volcanic seismicity, tsunamis), and hazards, safety, and public policy. I especially appreciated that the author filled the book with case studies and examples, as well as schematic diagrams and well-labeled photos. The book is readable and accessible to general audiences and to intro seismology people.

So why 3 stars, if I loved the book? Well, this book was top-of-the-line in the 1990s, and the date shows. The text includes quirks that would be absurd today - the author has to explain not only GPS but even concepts like the "World Wide Web" and "the Internet", they use the Wade-Giles system for Chinese names, and "Tadzhikistan" is apparently the transliteration of the Central Asian country. More pressingly, the seismological methods and theories have virtually no input from computers or remote sensing, and the case studies and sources are largely drawn from the 1960s and 1970s, when the author did their field work. I love the book, but I wonder what 20 years has done to the field.

[Maaz Nayeem · Rating 5 out of 5]

i Saw the contents ,this book looks good
can anyone share the Pdf version of the book
my mail ID is maaznayeem1947@gmail.com

[Intishar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent one, I would say. Enjoyed reading it! To add, introducing one quote at the beginning of each chapter was really a great idea! I would specially thank the author, Bruce A. Bolt as every effort was made to bring all the relevant data and illustrations to the reader.

However, the contents are arranged in a rather slovenly way. I was striving in navigating through and sticking to the lessons.

[DD T · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good college primer on earthquakes. Easy read and very informative. Gave me a new perspective of our Earth.