Takes a much-needed interdisciplinary and international approach to this complex and social phenomenon. The book starts with presenting work on the physical dynamics of earthquakes and then moves on to provide an overview of earthquake-resistant construction. The final part of the book addresses social vulnerability to earthquakes and deals with emergency planning and disaster response.
Introduction Part 1: Physical Dynamics Focal mechanisms triggering quakes Earthquake Progression, distribution of aftershocks, and redistribution of stress Hazards posed by blind thrust faults Ground Motion Earthquake-related physical effects that compound a disaster - Liquefaction - Landslide - Epidemic - Tsunami Technological aids to seismological research - Seismic networks - GPS and radar applications - GIS in seismological investigations - Missile navigation technology applications to earthquakes Prediction / Forecasting - Ultra-low frequency radio wave spikes before an earthquake - Geochemical anomalies before a moderate earthquake - Animal behaviour - The VAN approach to short-term prediction - Earthlights as a possible precursor - Chinese short-term predictions - Intermediate-term and probabilistic prediction (computational seismology) - A critical view of prediction Historical and palaeo-seismicity - Geochronology - Reservoir-induced seismicity Part 2: Infrastructure as it Responds to Seismic Forces Overview The special case of dams Part 3: Social Vulnerability The Individual faced with earthquake hazard - Hazard perception and behaviour - Gender in risk perception and response - Reactions to pseudo-scientific predictions of earthquakes The economy faced with earthquake risk and disaster - Estimation of economic impacts of earthquake damages - Business continuity after earthquakes - Role of insurance in reducing losses Earthquakes and social structure - Differential social vulnerability to earthquakes - Media impacts on earthquake response and recovery Part 4: disaster planning and Emergency Management Planning - Applications of GIS to specify probable hazards for planning - Lifeline damage simulation for planning and policy - Seismic building code specification and adoption - Planning for the needs of specially vulnerable groups - Planning with community organizations - Earthquake risk information communication Emergency Management - Medical and public health aspects - Emergency management coordination in planning and in response / recovery Part 5: Meaning and Earthquakes: Contributions from the Humanistic Approaches Ethics Earthquakes in art Cultural interpretation of earthquakes