Mega Disasters: The Science of Predicting the Next Catastrophe
by Florin Diacu. Princeton University Press. 2010. 195 pages. $24.95.
It is possible to mathematically predict the directions in which stars, planets, and other objects in space will travel, but can we also predict how things will unfold here on Earth? Yes, in many cases, argues mathematician Florin Diacu.
Real-life systems are often unpredictable and hard to calculate, he notes. We can, however, recognize many dangers before they happen and avert them if we watch for the common warning signs. He cites examples of tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, stock market crashes, and other particularly consequential phenomena.
Mega Disasters offers a highly-readable cross-disciplinary perspective on tsunamis, pandemics, climate change, and financial collapses.
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