Living on an Active Earth : Perspectives on Earthquake Science Hardback

The destructive force of earthquakes has stimulated human inquiry since ancient times, yet the scientific study of earthquakes is a surprisingly recent endeavor.

Instrumental recordings of earthquakes were not made until the second half of the 19th century, and the primary mechanism for generating seismic waves was not identified until the beginning of the 20th century. From this recent start, a range of laboratory, field, and theoretical investigations have developed into a vigorous new discipline: the science of earthquakes.

As a basic science, it provides a comprehensive understanding of earthquake behavior and related phenomena in the Earth and other terrestrial planets.

As an applied science, it provides a knowledge base of great practical value for a global society whose infrastructure is built on the Earth's active crust. This book describes the growth and origins of earthquake science and identifies research and data collection efforts that will strengthen the scientific and social contributions of this exciting new discipline. Table of ContentsFront Matter1. The Challenge of Earthquake Science2. The Rise of Earthquake Science3. Facing the Earthquake Threat4. Observing the Active Earth: Current Technologies and the Role ofthe Disciplines5.

Earthquake Physics and Fault-System Science6. Research Opportunities and Requirements7. SummaryAppendix A: Major Federal Earthquake ProgramsAppendix B: Acronyms and AbbreviationsIndex