This comprehensive account of California’s numerous and perilous natural disasters explores how a unique combination of forces has affected Californians throughout the state's history and carries a sobering message about our short disaster memories.
California has more natural hazards per square mile than any other state, but this hasn’t deterred people from moving here. Entire California towns and regions frequently contend with destruction caused by earthquakes, floods, landslides and debris flows, and sea-level rise and coastal erosion. As Gary Griggs demonstrates in California Catastrophes, few years go by without a disaster of some kind, and residents often rebuild in the same locations that were just destroyed.
Considering the current climate crisis and increasing environmental inequalities, the stakes are growing ever higher. This book dives into the history of the state’s vulnerability to natural hazards, why and where these events occur, and how Californians can better prepare going forward. A mix of photographs and maps both historical and contemporary orients readers within the state’s sprawling landscapes and provides glimpses of some of the geologic risks in each region. With the final chapter, Griggs issues a call to action and challenges readers to envision a safer, more equitable, and sustainable future.

- 298 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
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Table of contents
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- List of Figures and Tables
- Acknowledgments
- 1. Introduction to California’s Natural Disasters
- 2. Earthquakes and Faulting
- 3. Tsunamis
- 4. Volcanoes and Vulcanism
- 5. Extreme Rainfall and Flooding
- 6. Climate Change and Drought
- 7. Wildland Fires
- 8. Landslides, Rockfalls, and Debris Flows
- 9. Coastal Storms, Sea-Level Rise, and Shoreline Retreat
- 10. Where Do We Go from Here?
- Notes
- References
- Index
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Yes, you can access California Catastrophes by Gary Griggs in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Physical Sciences & North American History. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.