International Perspectives On Natural Disasters: Occurrence, Mitigation, And Consequences (advances In Natural And Technological Hazards Research)

E-Book Overview

Natural disasters, response, recovery, and mitigation are important topics for policy makers, sustainable development specialists, technical experts and teachers. The occurrences and distributions of natural disaster events and the responses and mitigation practices associated with them are presented in the book. Experts on natural disaster topics and regional experts on natural disasters provide compelling information. A rich background in natural disasters and the places where they frequently occur is presented. The chapter authors' discussions address the physical attributes of natural events and secondly, the role of education and training as mitigation strategies. This second perspective examines mitigation practices. Alternatives beyond disaster response and recovery are being practiced in many places. The role of education and training is highlighted. It is intended that the book be a welcome addition to working in natural disasters policies, education, training, and improving the public understanding of natural disasters and the mitigation of their effects. This volume includes a CD-ROM containing electronic versions, in full color if available, of the figures which are all printed in black-and-white in the book.

E-Book Content

International Perspectives on Natural Disasters: Occurrence, Mitigation, and Consequences Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research VOLUME 21 The titles published in this series are listed at the end of this volume. International Perspectives on Natural Disasters: Occurrence, Mitigation, and Consequences Edited by JOSEPH P. STOLTMAN Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, U.S.A. JOHN LIDSTONE Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia and LISA M. DECHANO Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, U.S.A. This eBook does not include ancillary media that was packaged with the printed version of the book. A C.I.P. Catalogue record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. ISBN 978-1-4020-2850-2 (HB) ISBN 978-1-4020-2851-9 (e-book) Published by Springer P.O. Box 17, 3300 AA Dordrecht, The Netherlands. www.springer.com Reprinted with corrections 2007 Printed on acid-free paper All Rights Reserved © 2004, 2007 Springer No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher, with the exception of any material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. DEDICATION This book is dedicated to . . . Gilbert F. White Philip W. Hemily Herman Th. Verstappen . . . scholars who have devoted their scientific research and professional lives to exploring questions and issues of public concern in order to further international civic engagement regarding natural hazards/disasters and environmental resources policies. TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface ix Acknowledgments xi Introduction Joseph P. Stoltman, John Lidstone, and Lisa M. DeChano 1 Chapter 1: Earthquakes Walter Hays 11 Chapter 2: Volcanoes Raymundo S. Punongbayan 37 Chapter 3: Windstorms Tony Gibbs 63 Chapter 4: Global Flooding John Handmer 87 Chapter 5: Wildfires Stephen Yool 107 Chapter 6: Mass Movement Lisa M. DeChano 131 Chapter 7: Drought D.A. Wilhite 147 Chapter 8: Natural Hazards in Japan Hiroshi Sasaki and Shuji Yamakawa 163 Chapter 9: Natural Disasters in China Yang Hua Ting 181 Chapter 1