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Rating: 
Summary: Authoritative new treatise in seismology from Nat. Acad. Sci
Review: A new 418-page authoritative treatise in seismology has been prepared by a select panel of 14 seismologists and one geologist under auspices of the National Academy of Sciences. The distinguished authors are: Jordan (chairman), Beroza, Cornell, Crouse, Deiterich, Frankel, Jackson, Johnston, Kanamori, Langer, McNutt, Rice, Romanowicz, Sieh, and Somerville. The book is divided into 7 chapters with two appendices: (1) The Challenge of Earthquake Science; (2) Rise of Earthquake Science; (3) Facing the Earthquake Threat; (4) Observing the Active Earth -- current technologies and the role of the disciplines; (5) Earthquake Physics and Fault-System Science; (6) Research Opportnities and Requirements; and (7) Summary. The title sounds rather trendy, but this book is not for the casual reader. It appears best suited for upper-division geology and seismology students and first-year graduate students in applied seismology, or general readers who want to catch-up with advanced concepts in applied seismology. "Living on an Active Earth" was over three years in preparation, and (like all National Academy publications) it has been heavily peer-reviewed for rigorous scientific content. The book makes good use of colored maps, diagrams, and photos to convey applied seismology concepts. Each chapter contains an unusually large number of footnotes that carefully document each statement in the text. (example: Chapter 5 has 219 footnotes.) "Living on an Active Earth" is available in both hardbound book format, and on CD-ROM. Because it is an authoritative treatise, it will greatly influence textbooks written for lower-division students. It will be particularly well suited to west coast states (California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Montana, Wyoming) in Seismic Zone 3 and 4 that have substantial earthquake hazards, plus mid-continent states that were affected by the great New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-1812 (SE Missouri, W Tennessee, W Kentucky); and the M7.3 Charleston, SC, earthquake of 1886. The book cites hyperlinks to useful websites for additional information. Both Seismic Hazard Zone maps and Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone Maps of the California Geological Survey are show-cased as effective tools in earthquake hazard reduction. "Living on an Active Earth -- perspectives on Earthquake Science" is highly recommended. It will be well-received by a wide spectrum of collegiate-level readers for its comprehensive evaluation of applied seismology, and its authoritative recommendations for future research topics in seismology.
Robert H. Sydnor, Senior Engineering Geologist
California Geological Survey
RSydnor@consrv.ca.gov
wwww.conservation.ca.gov/cgs
Rating:
Summary: Authoritative new treatise in seismology from Nat. Acad. Sci
Review: A new 418-page authoritative treatise in seismology has been prepared by a select panel of 14 seismologists and one geologist under auspices of the National Academy of Sciences. The distinguished authors are: Jordan (chairman), Beroza, Cornell, Crouse, Deiterich, Frankel, Jackson, Johnston, Kanamori, Langer, McNutt, Rice, Romanowicz, Sieh, and Somerville. The book is divided into 7 chapters with two appendices: (1) The Challenge of Earthquake Science; (2) Rise of Earthquake Science; (3) Facing the Earthquake Threat; (4) Observing the Active Earth -- current technologies and the role of the disciplines; (5) Earthquake Physics and Fault-System Science; (6) Research Opportnities and Requirements; and (7) Summary. The title sounds rather trendy, but this book is not for the casual reader. It appears best suited for upper-division geology and seismology students and first-year graduate students in applied seismology, or general readers who want to catch-up with advanced concepts in applied seismology. "Living on an Active Earth" was over three years in preparation, and (like all National Academy publications) it has been heavily peer-reviewed for rigorous scientific content. The book makes good use of colored maps, diagrams, and photos to convey applied seismology concepts. Each chapter contains an unusually large number of footnotes that carefully document each statement in the text. (example: Chapter 5 has 219 footnotes.) "Living on an Active Earth" is available in both hardbound book format, and on CD-ROM. Because it is an authoritative treatise, it will greatly influence textbooks written for lower-division students. It will be particularly well suited to west coast states (California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Montana, Wyoming) in Seismic Zone 3 and 4 that have substantial earthquake hazards, plus mid-continent states that were affected by the great New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-1812 (SE Missouri, W Tennessee, W Kentucky); and the M7.3 Charleston, SC, earthquake of 1886. The book cites hyperlinks to useful websites for additional information. Both Seismic Hazard Zone maps and Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone Maps of the California Geological Survey are show-cased as effective tools in earthquake hazard reduction. "Living on an Active Earth -- perspectives on Earthquake Science" is highly recommended. It will be well-received by a wide spectrum of collegiate-level readers for its comprehensive evaluation of applied seismology, and its authoritative recommendations for future research topics in seismology.
Robert H. Sydnor, Senior Engineering Geologist
California Geological Survey
RSydnor@consrv.ca.gov
wwww.conservation.ca.gov/cgs
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