On Shaky Ground

A ';gripping' look at the massive disasters that could strike at any moment, from a New York Timesbestselling author (San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle). Far beneath the earth's surface, great tectonic plates grind against one another with incredible pressure that mustinevitablybe released. Earthquakes manifest with little warning, upending buildings, shattering infrastructure, and unleashing devastating tsunamis. In this remarkable survey of the history of seismology and the extraordinary seismic events that have occurred in the United States, Mexico, China, and other locales, author John J. Nance traces the discoveries of the scientists who have dedicated their lives to understanding and predicting one of the deadliest threats known to mankind. From the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest and the East Coast, most of the United Statesnot just Californiais in danger of a massive quake, and few citizens are adequately prepared. Through riveting firsthand interviews with earthquake survivors, and with the same command of technical detail and gripping style that he brings to his New York Timesbestselling thrillers, Nance demonstrates the need for readinessbecause the next big quake could happen tomorrow.