The lost history of the New Madrid earthquakes /

The New Madrid earthquakes of the early 19th century continue to mystify people and enhance their curiosity about what really happened and why. Increasingly, original knowledge gained from preinstrumental, vernacular science reporting is blended with modern seismological records and new research in efforts to truly understand why those anomalous quakes happened at all, and perhaps more importantly, whether will they occur again. A reexamination of old evidence--thought sacrosanct--sheds new light, which, in current times, provides a greatly expanded platform for research and discovery in seismic science of the New Madrid anomaly. In this most beautifully written book, Valencius (Univ. of Massachusetts Boston; The Health of the Country, CH, Feb'03, 40-3446) integrates prodigious research about how the history of the central US, including its economy, society, and environment, were shaped by seismicity and geology. While a few recent books deal skillfully with the ramifications of the New Madrid earthquakes, this book in particular delves deeply into the larger cultural meaning and influence of the value of deep scientific reanalysis and application to modern social and environmental problems. And, it is worth repeating, the writing is superb. Referencing is extensive and annotated. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. T. L. T. Grose emeritus, Colorado School of Mines