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The 1,000-plus alphabetical listings range from historical volcanoes and quakes (both famous and obscure) to entries on specific seismic phenomenon (everything from parasitic cones to jökulhlaup) and general geological principles, including a few excellent in-depth discussions on topics like plate tectonics and seismic wave types. The encyclopaedia also includes a lengthy bibliography, a list of Internet resources, a chronological listing of notable quakes and eruptions, and a handful of unforgettable eyewitness accounts (after the eruption of Vesuvius in A.D.79, apparently Pliny the Elder's party went out "having pillows tied upon their heads with napkins; and this was their whole defence against the storm of stones that fell around them").

With its clear, newspaper-style entries, the Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes will be navigable even to geo-newbies, but its a-to-z organisation makes it more useful as a reference than as a stand-alone text. Then again, given its liberal cross-referencing, you can easily find yourself led onto a long, enjoyable read. --Paul Hughes

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I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!	Customer Rating:
Hi, I really like this book. It's bben helpfully to me for my carrer. Thanks, Michelle Trzecisnki

Excellent introduction.

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In a unique and very handy A-Z format, here in one volume is all the information you are ever likely to need on these most dramatic natural phenomena. The great earthquakes and famous volcanic eruptions are comprehensively covered, with clear explanations of the geologic concepts and terms, interesting photos and maps, and thumbnail biographies of leading figures in the study of these majestic forces of nature. A particularly interesting feature is the inclusion of each state with an evaluation of its seismic potential. (There are some surprises here). Highly recommended as a very useful single-volume introduction for libraries and interested individuals. (The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)