Geomorphology of Natural Hazards and Human Exacerbated Disasters in Latin America

LATRUBESSE, E. M.

Elsevier

Año: 2008 p. 512

978-0-444-53117-9

Natural and human induced disasters are particularly strong in developing countries and geomorphologic processes are one of the main agents. In this book the geomorphology of natural and human induced disasters in Latin America is faced by experts with a long history of research in the continent and includes results from Mexico, Central America, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. This is the first book in English language exclusively devoted to Geomorphology of disasters in Latin America. The main objective of the book is to offer a vision of the geomorphologic dynamics of the main disasters, describing their mechanisms and consequences on Latin American societies. Human -induced disasters were also included, such as desertification in Patagonia and soil erosion in Brazil, for example. The receding of South-American glaciers as a response to recent climatic trends and sea-level scenarios has been also discussed. The approach is broad, analyzing causes and consequences and including social and economic costs, discussing environmental and planning problems, but always describing the geomorphologic/geologic-involved processes with a good scientific substantiation. This particular approach differentiate this book from others devoted to asses more the “social” aspects of disasters emphasizing mainly on economy and social effects. We consider that this book will be a main reference for a variety of graduate and undergraduate students and professionals interested in Geomorphology, Physical Geography, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Geology, Ecology as well as for planners, environmental engineers and environmental consultants.