Everything we see in our landscapes today was created by geological actions, all of them accompanied by earthquakes and volcanism. This thorough examination of the geology of the United States and its impact on people's lives explores the processes that shape the land surfaces of the United States. These processes act over long periods of time and are affected by such factors as wind, rain, and temperature. Readers will discover how they frequently catch us by surprise when unexpected events occur, as well as how we often ignore signals that indicate repeat disasters. The hazards...

This reference resource describes both the scientific background and the economic and social issues that resulted from environmental disasters resulting primarily from human activity. Categorized by the type of tragedy--including coal mine tragedies, dam failures, industrial explosions, and oil spills--this one-stop guide provides students with descriptions of some of the world's most tragic environmental disasters. Entries clearly describe each disaster by defining the cause, the consequences, and the clean-up efforts.

Readers will learn who the responsible parties were, the...