Human society has adapted to environments across the globe, but sometimes nature still shakes up our world. Readers will investigate the science behind earthquakes as they count down the ten most catastrophic quakes in human history. Dramatic photographs will engage all readers, and the information-rich text smoothly incorporates STEM, geography, and history curricula. A concluding map pinpoints the location of each deadly quake, and thoughtful questions are included to encourage critical thinking skills. This high-interest, multi-subject volume is essential to any academic library.

"Describes history's biggest and most destructive earthquakes from around the world"--

Oceans sustain our globe, but they can also act as powerful tyrants of destruction. This volume provides an in-depth study of the ten most devastating tsunamis, exploring humanity’s historical relationship with these epic forces of nature. Photographs and visuals of these aquatic disasters will captivate all readers as they learn the science behind the storms. This versatile text introduces readers to maps and challenges critical thinking skills with dynamic questions. The multi-subject nature of this volume and its high-interest topic will attract readers in any academic setting.

Volcanic activity reduced Pompeii to ashes, but the Mount Vesuvius eruption is only the seventh most destructive volcanic eruption out of the top ten in human history! This fiery volume covers all ten natural disasters with mesmerizing photographs and visuals of these natural phenomena. A helpful map shows the location of each historical eruption, and critical thinking questions allow readers to test their new knowledge. Even reluctant readers will want to explore this high-interest topic, making this book an essential for any STEM, geography, or history library.

Katrina, Nina, Mitch, and Camille – these deadly hurricanes earned their names through monstrous devastation. This versatile volume gives readers a comprehensive understanding of the science behind hurricanes, how we categorize their high-speed winds, and how we measure the scale of their destruction. Photographs of the ten most catastrophic hurricanes since the 19th century will amaze readers while simultaneously demonstrating connections between STEM, geography, and history curricula. An informative map shows where these catastrophic hurricanes occurred, and critical thinking questions allow readers to assess their understanding of the topic.

If a spark catches a tree branch when no one is around, do the burning leaves still make a crackling sound? In this illuminating volume, readers will learn about science and safety as they discover the ten deadliest wildfires of the past few centuries and their origins. Photographs of heroic firefighters, ferocious flames, and disastrous aftermaths will captivate even reluctant readers, while thought-provoking questions about global warming’s relationship to wildfires will inspire readers to engage in thinking critically about what they’ve learned.

Typhoons, monsoons, cyclones, and bursting dams – readers will be transfixed by the floods these monster storms create. Photographs capture these breathtaking phenomena and their devastating effects on human society. This exploration of the ten worst floods humanity has endured will be a key feature in STEM, history, and geography curricula. Readers will delve into scientific explanations for these disasters, gain experience with maps, and ponder critical thinking questions that assess their understanding of this fascinating topic.

It's a fact that men love lists: with lists, men can find the most interesting information with the least amount of effort. This book contains over 250 lists covering the most important subjects in life - cars, sports, barbecues, gadgets - and answers the most vital questions: Are Ferraris faster than Lamborghinis? What's the most common murder weapon? Who was the fattest Prime Minister? Which city has the highest proportion of women to men? What's the most alcholic beer in the world?No matter what your chosen subject may be, Top 10 for Men is a must for every pub-trivia king.

On March 27, 1964, at 5-36 p.m., the biggest earthquake ever recorded in North America--and the second biggest ever in the world, measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale--struck Alaska, devastating coastal towns and villages and killing more than 130 people in what was then a relatively sparsely populated region. In a riveting tale about the almost unimaginable brute force of nature, New York Times science journalist Henry Fountain, in his first trade book, re-creates the lives of the villagers and townspeople living in Chenega, Anchorage, and Valdez; describes the sheer beauty of the geology of the region, with its towering peaks and 20-mile-long glaciers; and reveals the impact of the quake on the towns, the buildings, and the lives of the inhabitants. George Plafker, a geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey with years of experience scouring the Alaskan wilderness, is asked to investigate the Prince William Sound region in the aftermath of the quake, to better understand its origins. His work confirmed the then controversial theory of plate tectonics that explained how and why such deadly quakes occur, and how we can plan for the next one.

Human society has adapted to environments across the globe, but sometimes nature still shakes up our world. Readers will investigate the science behind earthquakes as they count down the ten most catastrophic quakes in human history. Dramatic photographs will engage all readers, and the information-rich text smoothly incorporates STEM, geography, and history curricula. A concluding map pinpoints the location of each deadly quake, and thoughtful questions are included to encourage critical thinking skills. This high-interest, multi-subject volume is essential to any academic library.