CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1: Earth’s Dynamic Interior
The Process of Plate Tectonics
Principles of Plate Tectonics
Continental and Oceanic Crust
Plate Boundaries
Hot Spots
Plate Motion
The Development of Tectonic Theory
The Precursors of Modern Thinking
Alfred Wegener and the Concept of Continental Drift
The Renewed Interest in Continental Drift
Toward a Unifying Theory
Dissenting Opinions and Unanswered Questions
Plate Tectonics and the Geologic Past
The Wilson Cycle
The Supercontinent Cycle
Continental Reconstructions
The Interaction of Tectonics with Other Systems
Earth’s Oceans
Life
Earth’s Climate
Other Concepts Related to Plate Tectonics
Continental Drift
Diastrophism
Isostasy
Orogeny
Tectonics
Chapter 2: Volcanoes and Volcanism
Volcanic Eruptions
Lava, Gas, and Other Hazards
Six Types of Eruptions
Two 20th-Century Eruptions
The Four Worst Eruptions in History
Volcano Forecasting and Warning
Major Volcanoes of the World
Significant Volcanoes of the World
Mount Agung
Askja
Mount Aso
Mount Cameroon
Cotopaxi
Mount Etna
Mount Fuji
Mount Hekla
Mount Hood
Irazú Volcano
Izalco Volcano
Kilauea
Klyuchevskaya Volcano
Krakatoa
Lassen Peak
Mauna Loa
Mayon Volcano
Mount Unzen
Mount Nyamulagira
Mount Nyiragongo
Ol Doinyo Lengai
Paricutín
Pavlof Volcano
Mount Pelée
Volcano Pico de Orizaba
Mount Pinatubo
Popocatépetl
Mount Rainier
Mount Ruapehu
Mount Ruiz
Mount Saint Helens
Tajumulco Volcano
Mount Tambora
Teide Peak
Vesuvius
Volcanic Landforms
The Major Types of Volcanic Landforms
The Determinants of Size and Shape
Hot Springs and Geysers
Cross Section of a Geyser and Hot Spring
Volcanism and Tectonic Activity
Volcanoes Related to Plate Boundaries
Volcanic Activity and the Earth’s Tectonic Plates
Intraplate Volcanism
Volcanoes and Geothermal Energy
Related Concepts
Bomb
Fumarole
Kimberlite Eruption
Magma
Mofette
Volcanic Winter
Volcanism
Volcanology
Chapter 3: Earthquakes
The Nature of Earthquakes
The Causes of Earthquakes
The Effects of Earthquakes
The Intensity and Magnitude of Earthquakes
Modified Mercalli Scale of Earthquake Intensity
The Occurrence of Earthquakes
Notable Earthquakes in History
Significant Earthquakes
The Aleppo Earthquake of 1138
The Shaanxi Province Earthquake of 1556
The Lisbon Earthquake of 1755
The New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811–12
The Messina Earthquake and Tsunami
The Tokyo-Yokohama Earthquake of 1923
The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906
The Chile Earthquake of 1960
The Alaska Earthquake of 1964
The Ancash Earthquake of 1970
The Tangshan Earthquake of 1976
The Mexico City Earthquake of 1985
The San Francisco–Oakland Earthquake of 1989
The Northridge Earthquake of 1994
The Kōbe Earthquake of 1995
The İzmit Earthquake of 1999
The Taiwan Earthquake of 1999
The Bhuj Earthquake of 2001
The Kashmir Earthquake
The Sichuan Earthquake of 2008
The Haiti Earthquake Of 2010
The Study of Earthquakes
Seismic Waves
The Observation of Earthquakes
Earthquake Prediction
The Exploration of Earth’s Interior with Seismic Waves
Extraterrestrial Seismic Phenomena
Related Concepts
Circum-Pacific Belt
Fault
Types of Faulting in Tectonic Earthquakes
Richter Scale
Richter Scale of Earthquake Magnitude
Seismic Belt
Seismic Survey
Seismograph
Noted Thinkers
Beno Gutenberg
Sir Harold Jeffreys
Augustus Edward Hough Love
John Michell
John Milne
Harry Fielding Reid
Charles F. Richter
The Scope of Tectonic Forces
Glossary
For Further Reading
Index