ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS CL

Natural hazards have always been a part of human history, yet in the modern world there is an increasing paradox between the outstanding achievements of science and medicine and the continuing destruction associated with the extremes of nature. Science itself is not without hazard and has led to the the comparatively recent emergence of man-made threats which arise from the misapplication and failure of technology. People and property are now at risk not only from geophysical events, such as earthquakes and floods, but also from industrial explosions, the release of toxic substances and major transport accidents. "Environmental Hazards" covers all the major rapid-onset events - seismic, mass movement, atmospheric, hydrologic and technologic hazards - which directly threaten human life on a community scale. Despite diverse origins and differential impacts, these hazards create similar sorts of risks and disaster-reduction choices. Yet, the actual responses vary and the human adjustment remains only partially successful, especially in the poorer countries of the world. The author integrates insights from both the earth and social sciences and employs a global range of case studies.