Life on the edge New Zealand's natural hazards and disasters. /

At foot of title Te ara - the encyclopedia of New Zealand. "What's the story?"--Cover. "This publication has been endorsed as a New Zealand contribution to the International Year of Planet Earth 2008"--p. 4.

Includes index. Contains material drawn from the second theme of Te Ara the Encyclopedia of New Zealand "Earth, Sea and Sky". Overview living dangerously -- Floods New Zealand's number one hazard -- Earthquakes where two plates meet -- Volcanoes living on the ring of fire -- Landslides gravity always wins -- Tsunamis New Zealand's underrated hazard -- Being prepared.

New Zealanders live in a beautiful but demanding land - the challenges of coping with its rugged mountains, powerful rivers and extremes of weather have helped forge the national character. The natural forces that create the country's stunning scenery present many hazards, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, storms, floods and landslides. Being prepared to deal with these dangers is the price of living in a dynamic landscape. This fascinating book from the team at Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand uses a combination of science, history and eye-witness accounts to explore the natural hazards that New Zealanders are exposed to. The result is a great resource for every home and school, with big dramatic images and lively design making the content accessible and user-friendly.