Between Paradise and Peril: The Natural Disaster History of the Monterey Bay Region

by Gary Griggs, McPherson Bruce (Foreword by)

Overview

"Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice" - Will Durant

The Monterey Bay Region seems to have it all - sandy beaches, sunshine, the redwoods and rivers - paradise for most of us. This scenic landscape that has drawn people here for hundreds of years owes its origins to the underlying geology and climate, and both of these are somewhat unpredictable. Earthquakes and landslides, floods and droughts, El Niños and seacliff erosion all take place more frequently than we care to remember. Yet they are a fundamental part of this landscape we inhabit and that we can expect to experience for as long as we have an Earth.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781732709300
Publisher:	Monterey Bay Press
Publication date:	09/12/2018
Pages:	212
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.58(d)

About the Author

Gary Griggs is Distinguished Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California Santa Cruz. Known for his expertise in coastal geology and oceanography, Gary writes a popular bi-weekly newspaper column, "Our Ocean Backyard," and is a frequent contact for news and media on questions of climate change, sea-level rise, and coastal erosion. He is the author or coauthor of ten books including Living with the Changing California Coast and Coasts in Crisis. He has served on several National Academy of Science Committees, received numerous awards for his work as an educator and scientist, and has the distinction of being the only scientist to be named a Coastal Hero by the California Coastal Commission and Sunset magazine. A native Californian, Gary has made Santa Cruz County his home for fifty years.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

vii

Foreword

ix

Preface

xi

Chapter 1

Introduction

1

Chapter 2

Earthquakes and Faulting

9

Chapter 3

Tsunamis

45

Chapter 4

Coastal Storms, El Niños, Shoreline Erosion and Flooding

61

Chapter 5

Rainfall and Flooding

97

Chapter 6

Landslides, Mudflows and Rockfalls

145

Chapter 7

Droughts

169

Chapter 8

A Changing Climate

181

Index

193

Editorial Reviews

“Living in the Monterey Bay region means living in a constant state of contradiction. We live in one of the most bountiful, beautiful places on Earth, and yet Mother Nature brings ever-present challenges of flood, fire, drought, landslides, tsunami, and seismic activity. Between Paradise and Peril captures this balance in a complete, understandable and entertaining way.”

– John Laird, California Secretary for Natural Resources

“Gary Griggs has provided a timely and beautifully crafted work. While it focuses on a history of disasters and the need to be ever vigilant, Between Paradise and Peril offers a view of the natural, ecological, and human history of our region that serves to remind us of the paradise we are so fortunate to inhabit and must work to protect.”

– Senator Bill Monning, California State Senate Majority Leader, 17th Senate District

“Surrounded daily by the stunning natural beauty of Monterey Bay, it is all too easy to forget about the dark side of Mother Nature. Between Paradise and Peril is a compelling and important reminder of the real danger we put ourselves in by living in our little slice of paradise. Dr. Gary Griggs has written a fascinating book that needs to be read by all of us who live in or visit the Monterey Bay. After all, we need to remember that paradise can turn on us at any moment.”

– Neal Coonerty, former Mayor of Santa Cruz & former Santa Cruz County Supervisor

From the Publisher