California Catastrophes: The Natural Disaster History of the Golden StateThis comprehensive account of California’s numerous and perilous natural disasters explores how a unique combination of forces has affected Californians throughout the state's history and carries a sobering message about our short disaster memories. California has more natural hazards per square mile than any other state, but this hasn’t deterred people from moving here. Entire California towns and regions frequently contend with destruction caused by earthquakes, floods, landslides and debris flows, and sea-level rise and coastal erosion. As Gary Griggs demonstrates in California Catastrophes, few years go by without a disaster of some kind, and residents often rebuild in the same locations that were just destroyed. Considering the current climate crisis and increasing environmental inequalities, the stakes are growing ever higher. This book dives into the history of the state’s vulnerability to natural hazards, why and where these events occur, and how Californians can better prepare going forward. A mix of photographs and maps both historical and contemporary orients readers within the state’s sprawling landscapes and provides glimpses of some of the geologic risks in each region. With the final chapter, Griggs issues a call to action and challenges readers to envision a safer, more equitable, and sustainable future. |
Contents
Earthquakes and Faulting | 11 |
Tsunamis | 56 |
Volcanoes and Vulcanism | 83 |
Extreme Rainfall and Flooding | 104 |
Climate Change and Drought | 142 |
Wildland Fires | 164 |
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California Catastrophes: The Natural Disaster History of the Golden State Gary Griggs Limited preview - 2024 |
California Catastrophes: The Natural Disaster History of the Golden State Gary Griggs Limited preview - 2024 |
Common terms and phrases
Angeles atmospheric rivers average basin Beach bluffs boats buildings burned Canyon Cascadia Subduction Zone cliffs coastal coastline collapsed continued County Courtesy cracks Creek damage debris flows destroyed destructive drought El Niņo eruption event fatalities feet figure flooding Geological Survey Griggs harbor hazards high tides Highway hillside homes impacts January La Conchita Lake land landslide large earthquakes Lassen Peak Loma Prieta Loma Prieta earthquake magnitude major Mendocino million Monterey Bay Mount Shasta mud and debris mudflows natural disasters nearly Northern Oakland occurred ocean October Pacific Park percent Plate potential public domain pubs.usgs.gov quake rainfall record reported reservoir residents rock rockfalls runoff San Andreas Fault San Francisco Bay San Lorenzo River Santa Cruz County Santa Cruz Mountains sea level seismic shaking shoreline slide slope failures soil Southern California square miles state’s steep storm structures Subduction Zone Trench tsunami USGS Valley volcanoes waves wildfires wildland fires winter