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Overview
The earth beneath our feet usually feels solid and firm. Yet a million times each year- an average of once every thirty seconds- somewhere around the world the ground sways and shakes. We call this an earthquake. Most earthquakes are barely noticeable, but hundreds every year are strong enough to change the face of the land.In a clear, concise text and unforgettable full-color photographs, award-winning author Seymour Simon examines what causes earthquakes and how scientists measure both their sizes and their effects. Other subjects explored are the hazards of aftershocks, the huge, quake-formed sea waves called tsunamis, and the miniature mud volcanoes called sand boils.
Simon also explains why almost half of the quakes in the United States occur in southern California and tells young readers what they can do to protect themselves during a potentially deadly quake. As in his other highly acclaimed books- Volcanoes, Storms, and Icebergs and Glaciers- Seymour Simon introduces young readers to one of the most dramatic wonders on earth.
Examines the phenomenon of earthquakes, describing how and where they occur, how they can be predicted, and how much damage they can inflict.
Synopsis
Exceptional nonfiction for children from two of the most trusted names in science education: Seymour Simon and the Smithsonian Institution.
Publishers Weekly
With the increasing coverage of earthquakes worldwide, readers' interest should be piqued for this lucid introduction. Veteran photo-essayist Simon has produced another characteristically concise and involving precis. Facts abound, concerning such topics as the Pacific Ring of Fire; faults, especially the San Andreas; strike- and dip-slips; seismographs; the Richter and Mercali Intensity Scales; sand boils; and more. As in all of Simon's work, the high-quality photos and the book's spacious, accessible design enhance and extend the clarity of his exposition. Simon's compelling glimpses of these mighty geological phenomena will give readers a new understanding of and appreciation for the awesome forces of nature. Ages 5-up. (Aug.)