Earthquakes

* Reviews *

Part of Enslow's “Science Behind Natural Disasters” series, which includes hurricanes, volcanoes, wildfires, floods, and tornadoes, this forty-eight-page volume features dramatic full-color photos and illustrations that capture the excitement and terror of natural disasters sure to capture the interest of every kid (though it is aimed squarely at reluctant readers with a nice readable large print text with lots of leading, making it accessible to many levels of readers). Sidebars featuring questions and answers include really great tidbits of facts. For instance, did you know that tectonic plates move about the same distance that your fingernails grow? Chapters include the “World Series Earthquake” (the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in California); “Understanding Earthquakes” (tectonics, the Ring of Fire, earthquake belts, and faults); “When the Earth Shakes” (waves of various kinds, includes great graphics and photo of a huge landslide); “The Dangers of Earthquakes” (structural disintegration, liquefaction, falling objects, raging fires, landslides, avalanches, and how earthquakes are measured on both the Richter and Mercalli scales); “Tsunamis” (what they are, how they form, how the tsunami warning systems work, and spectacular photos from Phuket); and “Staying Safe” (emergency procedures, readiness, preparations and a discussion of earthquake-proof buildings). Chapter notes at the end include research information followed by a two-page glossary and further reading and internet addresses., Children's Literature