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Publication of the book “Why does the Earth quake?”

Understand, fear and admire one of nature's most spectacular phenomena.

Publication of the book “Why does the Earth quake?”

Publication date: 30/03/2017

General public, Press, Research

Related teams :
Seismology

Related themes : Natural Hazards

Anyone who has experienced an earthquake will remember it forever. Sumatra in 2004, China in 2008, Italy in 2009, Haiti in 2010, Japan in 2011, Nepal in 2015… Recent history has been marked by major seismic disasters, and we all have images of desolation in our minds after an earthquake or tsunami. What is their secret mechanism? Will we ever be able to predict them? How can we act to counter their devastating effects?

The science of earthquakes has made significant progress over the last fifteen years. This book reveals all the new developments in the field, its surprises and sometimes its failures, and outlines the ever-changing prospects for future discoveries. In clear language, Pascal Bernard takes us along with generations of researchers who have gradually grasped the reality of the phenomenon. Drawing on his experience in the field, he describes the work of the seismologist and introduces us to his instruments. The book is unique in its approach, with many original explanatory diagrams drawn with talent by the author himself.

Pascal Bernard is a seismologist at the IPGP. He works on deciphering seismic ruptures and their generation, co-directs the Corinth Rift laboratory in Greece, and contributes to studies by the Observatory of Faults in Northern Chile.

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