Cartographies of danger : mapping hazards in America.

Material type: Text

TextPublication details: Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1997Description: xiv, 363 p. : ill., mapsISBN:

0226534189 (hc)
0226534197 (pbk)

DDC classification:

363.340223 21

Contents:

Subject: Maps can tell us a lot about where we can anticipate hazards, but they can also be dangerously misleading. California, for example, takes earthquakes seriously, having instituted a comprehensive program of seismic mapping, whereas Washington has been comparatively lax about earthquakes in the Puget Sound area. However, as the Northridge earthquake in January 1994 demonstrated, even reliable seismic-hazard maps can deceive anyone who misinterprets known fault-lines as the only places vulnerable to earthquakes. A better goal of hazard-zone maps is to highlight more insidious hazards and raise awareness among planners, local officials, and the public. Demonstrates how hazard mapping reflects not just scientific understanding of hazards, but also perceptions of risk

Tags from this library: No tags from this library for this title. Log in to add tags.

Average rating: 0.0 (0 votes)

Holdings
Item type	Current library	Collection	Call number	Status	Date due	Barcode
Books	Australian Emergency Management Library	BOOK	363.340223 CAR (Browse shelf(Opens below))	Available		900014185

Includes bibliographical references (p. 297-349) and index

Map scale, danger zones, and safe places -- Shaky preparations -- Lavas and other strangers -- Uncertain shores -- Death tracks -- Floodplains, by definition -- Subterranean poisons -- Ill winds -- Short-lived daughters and ELF fields -- Nuclear nightmares -- Imagining vulnerability -- Crimescapes -- John Snow's legacy -- Emerging cartographies of danger

Maps can tell us a lot about where we can anticipate hazards, but they can also be dangerously misleading. California, for example, takes earthquakes seriously, having instituted a comprehensive program of seismic mapping, whereas Washington has been comparatively lax about earthquakes in the Puget Sound area. However, as the Northridge earthquake in January 1994 demonstrated, even reliable seismic-hazard maps can deceive anyone who misinterprets known fault-lines as the only places vulnerable to earthquakes. A better goal of hazard-zone maps is to highlight more insidious hazards and raise awareness among planners, local officials, and the public. Demonstrates how hazard mapping reflects not just scientific understanding of hazards, but also perceptions of risk

There are no comments on this title.

to post a comment.