NONFICTION

Fault Lines: Understanding the Power of Earthquakes

by Johanna WAGSTAFFE
96p. diag. glossary. index. maps. photos. websites. Orca. Oct. 2017. Tr $24.95. ISBN 9781459812437.
COPY ISBN
Gr 4–7—A Canadian meteorologist utilizes her background in earth science and geophysics to present a well-developed explanation of the science of earthquakes. Each chapter is filled with maps, graphs, histories of the earth's most powerful earthquakes, captioned photographs, question-and-answer sections, and sidebars to explain the earth's tectonic plates and their movements, quake epicenters, floods and tsunamis, earthquake prediction, and how people can prepare themselves and their homes for an event. A fabulous feature is that the science content is accompanied by stories from people around the world about experiencing earthquakes. The book's layout and use of colorful, contemporary photographs make this an attractive eye-pleaser and will draw readers into the world of seismology.
VERDICT An excellent addition for STEM collections and a usable title in science classrooms.
Reviewed by Patricia Ann Owens, formerly at Illinois Eastern Community College, Mount Carmel
This generously illustrated, cleanly formatted volume uses clear scientific prose--as well as the meteorologist author's personal perspectives and experiences--to explore earthquakes. The narrative covers plate tectonics, earthquake measurement, related disasters, monitoring, and emergency preparation. For a science book, there's a pretty heavy emphasis on the autobiographical material, and some scientific omissions may lead to confusion. Websites. Glos., ind.
 , Jun 01, 2018

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