Understanding Earthquake Disasters

Earthquake is one of the most devastating natural phenomena. Understanding the cause and mechanism of this phenomenon is the key to reducing its toll on human life and property. This book aims to demystify earthquakes by explaining the basics - seismicity, causes of earthquakes, plate tectonics, seismic waves, magnitude of earthquakes, faults in earth, seismotectonics, seismic zoning, how earthquakes are monitored and how data are used as a tool to understand the earth's interior. It also explores several damaging effects of earthquakes such as ground failure, landslides, tsunamis and effect on human habitat. It also addresses different earthquake safety measures in construction and do's and don'ts during and after an earthquake. Written from the author's experience of fieldwork in various earthquake sites and enriched with photographs, the book will be useful for readers from diverse backgrounds such as planners, policy makers, administrators, builders, and teachers, researchers, and students of civil engineering, earthquake engineering, seismology, architecture, planning, management, geology, and geophysics.