catastrophes (geology)

"A[n] ... exploration of seven cosmic catastrophes that could hit Earth and any of the other 20 billion Earth-like planets in our galaxy."--Provided by publisher.

Examines the fate of the Gorgons, a little known prehistoric animal that ruled the world long before the Age of Dinosaurs, and speculates on the cataclysmic event that lead to their extinction more than 250 million years ago.

An exploration of Earth's catastrophic past and violent present.

"Newly discovered scientific proof validating the legends and myths of ancient floods, fires, and weather extremes"--Provided by publisher.

Explores the debate over whether the mass extinctions that changed the face of the Earth sixty-five million years ago were caused by an asteroid impact, or by massive volcanic eruptions.

A discussion of asteroids, comets, and meteorites and the physical processes that result from their impact with Earth, and covers the hazards, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and firestorms, associated with impacts and the possibility of collisions occurring in the future.

Imagines what the world would be like if an asteroid struck Earth, speculating on the types of immediate and long-term damage that would result and how people would adapt to their new environment.

Discusses the discovery of Chicxulub impact crater in Mexico, and tells why the 180 kilometer-wide collision scar is believed to be responsible for the mass extinction on Earth sixty-five million years ago.

Discusses the possibility of the earth being hit by an asteroid or comet, looking at the history of such crashes on the earth, where a cosmic collision is believed to have wiped out the dinosaurs, and studying the recent impact of the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter in 1994.