Geophysical and Climate Hazards: A Very Short Introduction

— —

Bill McGuire (Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards, Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards, University College London)

Geophysical and Climate Hazards

A Very Short Introduction

Bill McGuire (Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards, Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards, University College London)

$21.95

Paperback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Oxford University Press
22 February 2024

Volcanology & seismology; Geology & the lithosphere; Meteorology & climatology

Series: Very Short Introductions

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, InspiringIn this Very Short Introduction Bill McGuire takes a fresh look at our sometimes perilous planet, and evaluates the causes and consequences of what used to be thought of as 'natural' hazards through the prism of planetary heating and the continuing destabilising of our climate. Our world has always been a dangerous and deadly place, and storms, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic blasts have taken an enormous toll on lives and livelihoods throughout recorded history and before.

In the past, such events were regarded first as acts of God, or gods, and later as simply a consequence of hazardous natural phenomena that are a normal part of how our planet works. In recent decades, however, this picture has changed. Relentless global heating, arising from the 2.4 trillion tonnes of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere as a result of human activities, has completely altered the 'natural' hazard landscape. There has long been a debate about whether - due to the influence of societal and economic factors - there is such a thing as a truly natural disaster. Now, the debate has moved on to whether or not the hazards that cause them can any longer be described as entirely natural. Our damaged climate has driven an explosion of extreme weather, which has become ever more apparent in recent years via the super-charging of storms, floods, heatwaves and wildfires. The fingerprints of global heating can be detected even in individual events that would have been extremely unlikely to have happened, or even been impossible, in its absence. Meanwhile earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions continue to plague communities and take lives, while even here there are links with a changing climate that have the potential to magnify their occurrence and impacts. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

By: Bill McGuire (Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards University College London)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 3rd Revised edition
Dimensions: Height: 174mm, Width: 112mm, Spine: 8mm
Weight: 136g
ISBN: 9780192874535
ISBN 10: 0192874535
Series: Very Short Introductions
Pages: 160
Publication Date: 22 February 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Foreword 1: Hazardous Earth 2: Earthquakes and tsunamis 3: The volcanic menace 4: Storm force 5: Fire and flood 6: Existential threats and systemic shocks Further Reading Index

Bill McGuire is a volcanologist, climate scientist, activist, and writer. He is Professor Emeritus of Geophysical and Climate Hazards at UCL, a co-director of the New Weather Institute and a patron of Scientists for Global Responsibility. In 1996, he was a Senior Scientist at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory and in 2010 a member of SAGE during the Icelandic volcanic ash crisis. In 2005, he was a co-author of the UK Government report: The Role of Science in Natural Hazard Assessment. He was a contributor to the 2012 IPCC report on climate change and extreme events.