Perilous Planet Earth: Catastrophes and Catastrophism through the Ages [Hardcover]

A readable account of the history of natural disasters throughout history.Perilous Planet Earth places our present concerns about the threat from natural distasters, such as asteroids and immense volcanic eruptions, within the context of history. Written at a level that will interest both academics and general readers, it explains how catastrophic events have influenced the course of evolution in the distant past, as well as the rise and fall of civilisations in more recent times. Professor Palmer argues that a better understanding of our past will allow us to take appropriate action to preserve our civilisation for the future.Perilous Planet Earth places our present concerns about the threat from natural distasters, such as asteroids and immense volcanic eruptions, within the context of history. Written at a level that will interest both academics and general readers, it explains how catastrophic events have influenced the course of evolution in the distant past, as well as the rise and fall of civilisations in more recent times. Professor Palmer argues that a better understanding of our past will allow us to take appropriate action to preserve our civilisation for the future.Reviewing our present concerns about the threat from natural disasters, such as asteroids and immense volcanic eruptions, within the context of history, this volume is written at a level that interests academics as well as general readers. It explains how catastrophic events have influenced the course of evolution in the distant past, and the rise and fall of civilizations in more recent times. Trevor Palmer argues that a better understanding of the past will allow humanity to take appropriate action to preserve civilization for the future.Introduction; Part I. Catastrophism: The Story of its Decline and Fall & and Resurrection; Section 1. From Prehistory to 1899: Catastrophism Dominates for Centuries, but Then Gives Way to Gradualism: 1. Mythology, religion and catastrophism; 2. Hutton: faclSÆ